The end.

___________________________________________________________________

22 x 23 Birthday Bucket

Likely you’ve seen someone or other make a “101 in 1001″ list… I think called the “Day Zero Project” but I don’t really know why. Well not too long ago, my Hawaiian amiga Mags made a 40 by 41 list – 40 things she wants to do before her 41st birthday. Which left me sitting on my couch thinking… I’m not getting any younger. Time is not going to slow down. And I will not end up as a crazy cat lady. (I’m allergic anyways… if worse comes to worse I’ll have a really big fish tank.) Time to do what I do best and get my Martha Stewart on make a list.

We won’t call this a “bucket list,” since I’m genuinely hoping I don’t die at 23, nomsayin? So we can call it a “birthday bucket.” There were quite a few things I eliminated from the list because they seemed “not important enough” to be included in my alloted 22. So I decided to make a bigger list. Eventually I’ll end up with my “101 in 1001″ … but for now, this is what I’m gonna do in the next 313 days.

The List*

• Be able to change the front/rear tire & tube in <5 min.
• Catch fish with Grandpa Ansie
• Get a new job
• Go camping
• Go out with someone I want to get to the 3rd date
• Go to a shooting range (and shoot!)
• Invest in a stock
• Learn how to make Grandma’s poppyseed küchen
• Learn how to make mom’s beef stew
• Learn all the new players on the Twins roster
• No meat for ALL of Lent
• Open water 2 mile swim race
• Read all of Corinthians
• Ride 3 centuries
• Ride a motorcycle
• Run around Calhoun
• Save $10 for each item I check off
• Speak Spanish with a stranger
• Start going to Connect at church
• Start my own nacimiento

[* If you're good at counting... you will note that the list is only 20 and not 22. The administration has exercised its' authority and selectively edited where inappropriate appropriate. ]

Some of these items are things that should be easily accomplished… starting the nacimiento takes all of one quick trip to E. Lake Street. Going to Connect (which, let’s be real, is really just a Christian singles group) only takes manning up and going, even if it means going solo. Others, like running around the lake and getting to that 3rd date, are things that should be easy but in reality might put up a fight. I already can check off one – getting a new job (!!) – which also means I need to put $10 into the ‘Mo Money’ jar…

So, mis amigos, this has been an entirely non-tri-related post. But I’ve had fun making the list [(it took multiple swim sessions of brain storming - only 20 days after I started making this...) haha I just made it tri-related!], and I’m looking forward to checkin’ things off one by one!

Reader Qs:

Do you have a bucket list? A birthday list? A must-do list? What is one thing you absolutely want to do before you … um … croak?

-E

Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize.
- Philippians 3:13-14

Ahhh… much better.

Once again, we have reached the end of another year. The time associated with “resolutions”, rush crowds at the gym, and champaign jello shots in fancy flute glasses. Only I do New Year’s a little differently…

• The word resolutions drives me NUTS! I just feel like it cheapens the fact that you can make a conscious choice to make a change / start something new / work towards a goal at ANY time on ANY day. I do love goals, though by making goals in the last week of a December maybe I’m defeating my own point… Long story short: goals/”resolutions” = good things. Always!
• The “fresh” crowd at the gym… I think in previous years I let myself get annoyed because it meant crowded parking lots, crowded locker rooms, crowded spin class, and crowded fitness floor. Yes, there is an increase in traffic at the gym come January 1st, but that also means there is an increase in people being cognizant about their fitness and the effects that has on one’s health. Will their commitment stick? Maybe, maybe not. But everyone has to start somewhere, and if you choose to commit to your health on New Years day, more power to you. I hereby vow to let you work in, show you where the the alternate ropes/bars are, show you how to “turn on” the elliptical, and be as kind/patient/helpful as possible. To anyone in particular that I ever rolled my eyes at for doing squats with an EZ Curl bar, I am sorry.
• Champaign. Alcohol in general. Still can’t drink!! I will chose to abide by the “do not mix with alcohol” warning on my medications bottles.. and be rockin it extremely sober this NYE.

Before I get into any recent/future goals… I thought it might be fun to look at goals from the past few years, which, thanks to the blog, I have documentation for!

2008

1. Decide: transfer to NEU, or stay at the U of MN.
2. More family time.
3. More home cooked meals.
4. Strengthh train damnit!
5. GET. MORE. SLEEP.

2009

Mysteriously absent… I was two weeks post surgery [#1], home from Boston for break [and recovery], and had just realized how much I missed being home in Minneapolis. Which eventually led to my decision to transfer back to the U of MN and move back to the Twin Cities.

2010

1. Continue to work on getting more sleep. Ideally 8 hours minimum per night.
2. Make sure to keep up swimming and cycling during the brief periods that you are “cleared” to run.
3. Allow room for grey areas. Not everything in life is all or none, needs a plan, or a set schedule. Try to incorporate the practice of “go with the flow”.

2011

1. Explore new ways to deepen my faith.
2. Bandshell mass this summer!
3. Call/write/send something to both of my grandparents EVERY week.
4. Plan out training times at the beginning of the week.
5. Don’t overschedule myself!!

In terms of “progress” from last year, I can check off numbers 1, 2, 4, and 5. Number 3 was an ambitious goal that I kept up for about two months… and then sadly fell off. I do love my grandparents dearly, and would like to make sure I get as much time with them as possible. You only get one family!!!

For 2012, my list is a little more extensive. Some of them are non-negotiable: Rehab… continuing education units… renewing certifications… mass. They just need to get done. Others – keep learning Italian – are more in the would be nice category. So without further delay, here it is in writing:

2012

Quite a few of these I’ve already got a running crutching start on. Others will require quite a bit more effort/time/money/PATIENCE…

Hmmm, maybe that last one should have been on the “personal” list. Too late – it’s already written!!

Reader Qs:

What are YOU working towards this coming year/month/lifetime?

Te cuidas and ¡hasta luego!

-E

Days until….

• My birthday!!: 1 day
• My new HOUSE!!!!: 2 days
• My best friend finally home from 6 months in Mérida, Venezuela: 3 days
• First two UMN gymnastics meets: 5 days, and 12 days
• I get to see my padre: 14 days
• SURGERY!! Can I get an aaaaamen?!: 15 days
• Christmas: 26 days (yikes!! better get to shoppin…)
• Post-op follow up appointment: 30 days
• Start of 2012: 33 days
• Possible last day of crutches? (hopefully earlier!!): 57 days (ayyye.)

Meanwhile… I think it’s about time to check in with my goals from 2011, and start thinking ahead to 2012!

Reader Qs:

Are you currently “counting down” to anything? How are you doing on your 2011 goals?

-E

Anywho.

Sickness aside, and pretending that this is not a “too sick to train” moment, I want to talk about something important that I feel like has been missing in my current training program. And that would be…

GOALS.

(Does that look familiar? It might… it’s been with me since my 2010 New Years Goals!) Luckily, I already wrote the post, and it just went up this morning for my weekly Thursday contribution to Team Groucho Sports. I would really appreciate if you would check it out (LINK HERE)… because you will be seeing a follow up from me in one week!

I will leave you with the same Reader Qs – feel free to answer here, there, or just think on it and keep it to yourself.

What are your goals, my fellow sports enthusiasts? What is it that motivates you, and drives you each and every morning to remain committed? If you don’t have a current goal, do you think you could make one? Did you have one of those intro classes in college that has really stuck with you since?

Keep on keepin’ on! Take care,

-E

p.s. – if you have any free time, go check out my bestbloggerbuddy in NY, Susan, and leave a comment on her video entry to be a part of Team NUUN in the Hood to Coast Relay!

Ohhh man, I don’t even know where to start. I opened up a fresh page (read: Word, Notebook view – my “real” notebooks are still packed in boxes from the move!) and started brainstorming. At first you’re like ugh… I don’t know what to put!? And then the pen hits the paper… and maybe it’s just me, but when it rains, it pours. My list went from 3 to 30 in no time. Granted not all of these will be official “new years resolutions” (oh wait, I mean “goals” ) but definitely things I want to work on/do over the course of the year. I’ll call it a combination 2011 Goals/Bucket List…

So FIRST things first. This morning I ran a little APAS report… which, however it is/was called at your school, is essentially a “heads up” on where you’re at with your degree. (Classes taken, classes in progress, classes left, GPA, etc.) For some reason I was thinking I was a whole YEAR AND A HALF BEHIND because of the year and a half I spent in architecture. My APAS, however, told me I was WRONG. And I have never been more happy to be WRONG in my life! Yes, I’ll still be a SuperSenior next year, but only by one semester because I will be GRADUATING after fall 2011!!

Ha. Lle. Lujah!! But that will only be happening if I stay on top of my game! Meaning I will be taking a SUMMER class or two…. definitely PHYSICS and then one (or two) PE credits. Right now I’m registered for THREE PE classes this (spring) semester, but I will for sure be dropping one, if not two of them. I’m currently have 20 credits and I don’t think I need weight training to be the class that’s stressing me out.

My birdies wanted to say hi. THIS IS ALL I HAVE LEFT!! The one PE class I’m for sure keeping this spring is TENNIS, and I’m sure I’ll be bugging this lady/pro every other day to come play with me! So come December 2011, I will be walking with a B.S. in Kinesiology, a minor in Spanish, and hopefully, a 3.9. Briiiing. It.

So what about the goals? I cut down my list of 30… and although I’ll be working on all of these in due time, the highlighted FIVE are going to be the “official” goals for 2011. Here we go…

(I know… I highlighted 6 things. That was a) a mistake, and b) I had already screenshotted and saved, and didn’t bother to retake it. ) OK, so ignoring all the “extras”, I have:

1. Explore new ways to deepen my faith. This will [hopefully] happen in many different ways this coming year, including going on a medical mission trip, working with the youth program at my church, volunteering, and going to…
2. Bandshell mass this summer! It is super relaxed, kids dancing on picnic blankets, and just a nice change of pace. Music can be hit or miss sometimes… but it’s the thought that counts, right? It is super convenient in terms of location, and it is late enough that I can get my LR in before the opening prayer. I also wouldn’t be the first one to run (or bike) there… and runs home. No excuses!
3. Call/write/send something to both of my grandparents EVERY week. My last trip to see my grandma really cemented this one for me. I can not even imagine what it would be like to live in a nursing home with no one to visit… the only mail asking for donations for Alzheimer’s research… and the highlight of the week being the Tuesday hair appointment. I hope my weekly call/letter will be something my grandparents can look forward to, and I really hope that at that age I’ll be lucky enough to have someone do the same for me!
4. Plan out training times at the beginning of the week. Between school, work, family, friends, church, etc. I definitely have to make a concerted effort to fit all the training in. When I plan out ahead of time the actual TIME of day that it will fit in for the whole week, I am 107% more successful. True fact.
5. Don’t overschedule myself!! Somehow in the moment I think it’s a good idea to take on 12 different things.. only to end up stressed because I feel like I can’t give my best effort or have to half@ss something. I am sure this will be a work in progress, but it definitely won’t happen if I don’t even try!

Reader Qs: what are your goals for 2011? What do you think will be your biggest obstacles?

I am starting the new year off on the RIGHT foot, and bought a book of 40 “forever” stamps at the post office, as well as have a letter ready to send to to G-ma Rosa tomorrow! I also have some things I’m helping out with at church this month that I’ve never got to do before… AND, with a little help from the Lord (and maybe the smell of fresh-brewed coffee wafting my way from the kitchen) I will be back on schedule to the regular 6am practices this week! Damn… I gotta go learn how to program that Krupps…

And speaking of things I ‘gotta go’ do… I need to get myself going out the door! Depending on where you’re reading from… it might already be 2011! Happy NEW YEAR to everyone – stay safe, have fun, and start it off on a good note! Good night!

-E

My big THOUGHT on this THURSDAY is: How the heck do we only have THREE days left in 2010?! Depending on how long you’ve been hanging around here at Dr.TriRunner, you might remember THIS post with my 2010 goals… and seeing as the year is coming to a rapid close, it’s time for me to check in and evaluate how I’ve done!

As with all good things that come in 3s, I made 3 main goals last January. I don’t like the word “resolution” … and as you’ll see in that post from a year ago, I never have. I feel like a lot of times people (myself included) resolve to do something, you reevaluate and resolve it’s not goin’ so hot, and eventually resolve to quit or do something else. So I don’t do resolutions but I DO do goals. SMART goals preferably, but I’ll save that for the next post.

3 goals from 2010:

1 // Get more SLEEP.

Check!! And can I get an AMEN with that please, because that’s been a “goal” for YEARS!! Ask any of my running buddies, and they will attest that over the last three years at least I would always say “I don’t get why I don’t just go to bed earlier!!” And I really DON’T get why it was so fricking difficult? (Maybe because I was resolving to go to sleep early, then resolved that I liked watching House MD more, and resolved that it wasn’t so important anymore…?) This was mostly solid throughout the whole of 2010, but what sealed the deal was getting mono. Not kidding… it reset my sleep system. I have never seen any medical journal backing this little discovery, but honestly, after my 15-hour-days wore off, I could crawl in bed and fall asleep at any time. No problem. Ohhh I can seriously hear the angels ♪ singing ♪ ! Sleep is amazing. Dreaming is amazing. Being RESTED is amazing. And not having racoon eyes is just a bonus. (And only a temporary one at that… because I’ll get them anyways when I’m…..)

2 // SWIMMING!

Yesssiree! The official goal was to “Make sure to keep up swimming and cycling during the brief periods that you are “cleared” to run. Maybe those periods wouldn’t be so brief anymore.” I have biked more and swam more during this year than any other! Also though, 2010 was the LEAST amount of miles I’ve run in a year since I was 14. Part of that was due to injury… part of that was due to mono… but the other part was that I actually enjoyed riding and swimming this year. This is also the year that I’ve done the most OWS (open water swims), and I don’t think I can put into words how awesome that feels.

(If your friends with me in real life, or even just on facebook, you might know that I’m pretty damn comfortable with my faith. So hopefully this doesn’t come off as a “Jesus freak” moment or me trying to push my beliefs on anyone else – cause I’m definitely not. BUT…)

I have never felt closer to God than when I’m out in the open water, at “my” lake, at 6am with the sunrise and no one else but me and the big man. (Sorry mom – I know I told you I wouldn’t go alone!) Can’t even put it into words. I’ve definitely cried in those goggles… had to flip over and float for a minute to just breathe. It. Is. BREATHTAKING. And you can bet your butt that OWS is something that will  NOT be cut in 2011!

I’ve also kept up the swimming indoors, which has become sooo much less unappealing. My only advice: get HOT and SWEATY before you go in. Do dry land. Run a mile. Do jumping jacks. Do whatever it takes to make that swimming pool look less like Arctic Sea, and you’ll be fine. And as for riding, I was logging some decent (for me!) weeks this summer – highest was a 180 mile week, and lowest was 82. I’ve kept up the indoor cycling now that winter is well upon us here in Minnesota. And am ABOUT to buy a new trainer since my old one finally crapped out! If any of you tri buddies have an extra trainer you’re looking to sell… let me know.

3 // BALANCE

Hmmm. I’m challenged by you Goal #3. Back in January 2010, I said I wanted to allow room for more “grey areas” in my life – not always have a schedule… not always stick with the plan. More spontaneity. Hmmmm….

I feel like there need to be some confessions here if I’m going to claim any progress towards this goal. I know it’s not Friday… it’s OK First of all, I was FORCED out of my routine by several things this year – injury, travel, and mono. That’s fine I guess… but it wasn’t really on my own accord. Secondly, you might have noticed that I LIKE having a schedule! I do well with a schedule. I stay sane with a schedule. At the time of the inception of this goal #3 I might have been feeling some outside influences to change things up… but truthfully, I know what works for me. And I’mma stick with it.

SO, I guess that puts me at 2 for 3. Maybe a 2.5.

I definitely have some GOALS in mind for 2011, as well as a new CHALLENGE. You will hear more about that in the next couple posts, but for right now, I want to hear from YOU! Reader Qs: Did you make any “New year’s resolutions” for 2010? What were they and how did you do?

Hope everyone had/is having a great holiday BREAK (*better said, hope you GET one!) and staying safe, warm, and injury free!

-E

It’s 7:17pm.. I have had a very full day and I am 100% content right now sitting on the couch, legs propped up and the mcMac on my lap, food roasting in the oven, DRINK on the table – it’s a good life. Since my Reset, and Reset: take two posts, I have been sticking to my new schedule, LOVING waking up early again, and [IMO] my attitude has been 10x better too. Overall, I’ve just been feeling stellar, and that is definitely lovely feeling! And guess what – I woke up eight minutes before my alarm this morning – LOVE THAT! Obviously it’s only been all of like two days, but I’d like to think that my body is adjusting to it’s “old” self again. To put the cherry on top, I have a meet-up tomorrow with two of my most favorite Minneapolis bloggers, Kate & Mellissa! You’ll just have to wait and see what we get ourselves into.

So back to this DRINK I speak of… what is this cup of magic? Well truthfully, it’s not what I’m drinking right now (although this drank is wonderful too ) No, this would be my post-endurance-ride drink this morning. Let me indulge you a bit…

I will give you three hints…

1. It ‘s “wonderful”
2. It made me want to shake my pom-poms
3. It was energizing, packed with crazy superfood nutrients, and may potentially promote my prostate erectile cardiovascular health (yeah.. the first two benefits are N/A, but I definitely can tell you a thing or two about cardiovascular wellness!)

Guesses? Anyone? Yeah… I’m not that tricky. My sensational shake was spiked with…

POM! The lovely folks over at POM Wonderful sent me a box full of their antioxidant packed powerhouse 100% Pomegranate Juice! It was actually super ironic because just before they they contacted me, I was going through my iPhoto and clearing out old pictures, and came across these which never made it to the blog:

Photos from my first real pomegranate experience… I was about to delete them because I thought, when will they ever get used? But whattya know… POM contacts me, and now I can say the pictures didn’t go to waste! Best ever way to peal a pomegranate = under water. Otherwise you’ll have the seeds flying straight into your face and poking your eye out all over the kitchen. Plus, the membraney part floats to the top, so its easy to remove! Anyways.. back to the POM…

There are some really cool things about POM that I think deserve to be highlighted:

• It’s 100% authentic, all-natural pomegranate juice, and contains no added sugars, preservatives, colors, or cheap filler juices
• They grow their own fruits in San Joaquin Valley in CA, and follow their pomegranates from tree to bottle (bottles that they manufacture themselves btw) for quality control
• “Wonderful” is actually the variety of pomegranates they use… I thought it was just part of the brand!
• In the last decade, POM Wonderful has provided $32 million to fund scientific research on pomegranates and their health benefits, including effects on heart, prostate, erectile function, and other conditions.

Before POM sent these bottles to me, I had previously tried the 100% Pomegranate Juice, and the Cafe Au Lait and Vanilla POM Coffee drinks. I dug around on their website, and found out that they have iced teas, pills, “shots”, and …. BARS ?!?! Um, why have I not seen these anywhere? Both flavors sound crazy good, and I am determined to get my hands on one of each. They also have a recipe page with their own recipes and community submitted recipes.

Yeah, chances are you’re trying to wipe the drool off of your keyboard right now before it starts sparking. That. Looks. Amazing. But so does my shake… so I’m going to give you my little concoction I came up with, and you can do with it as you please!

Dr. TriRunner’s POM Nilla Protein Shake

(pictured above. serves 1 thirsty lil redheaded athlete)

• one scoop (28g) of Vanilla protein powder
• 4 oz 100% Pomegranate Juice
• 4 oz vanilla soy milk
• 1/2 tsp guar gum (or your thickener of choice)
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• iceeee to your hearts desire

Place all ingredients in blender – I used my new B3 (click for my review!!) and it worked amazingly, although I suppose a VITAMIX would do the job – and blend away. Pour in fancy glass, or live like a classy college kid and eat out of blender to not dirty another dish. Hey.. at least mine has a handle! Enjoy creamy deliciousness with spoon, straw, or slurped straight from the glass.

POM – thank you so much for sharing the love with me! I gave one to my boyfriend for a post-spin sipper, and he was definitely appreciative – payin’ it forward. Now I need to hunt down these darn bars and my life will be complete. Like always, you can find this and all other reviews by clicking the PRODUCT Reviews tab at the top of the page!

Question for you dears: Do you eat pomegranates / drink the juice… and if so… do you have any good recipes to pass on? I definitely have some thoughts floating around of a POM infused fro-yo sauce, but I’ll take all the ideas I can get!!

I hope you all have had a lovely DAY 1 to your weekend, and have a dynamic DAY 2 in store! I’m so excited for my MiniApple bloggy meet up, and definitely the final Olympic HOCKEY GAME! This girl is out – night!

-E

And RESET I did.

[EDIT -- EDIT -- EDIT -- EDIT -- EDIT]

So I had this big long post all written out yesterday. I wasn’t quite finished with it by the time I had to leave for spin, so I hit save as draft, headed out the door, and planned on finishing up when I got home. After rereading last night and a good conversation with my better half though, I realized I wasn’t really getting across the message I intended. To me it sounded basically like one big vent sesh, instead of just saying what I’m doing to get back on track with my old sound happy heathy habits. Here is my ⌘C and ⌘V (that’s copy/paste for you PC kids) shortened and cut-to-the-chase version.

[EDIT -- EDIT -- EDIT -- EDIT -- EDIT]

Long story short compadres, I got a little fed up on Wednesday. Not just with the day itself, but in some patterns I’ve been falling into that are just not in accordance with the way I want to live my life. I’m an adult, and I know better, so there are no excuses here. For no one else but myself (OK, and maybe my main man up top) , starting yesterday I am drawing the line and reigning myself back in to the old me I know and love.

• sleep: getting myself back on a normal schedule, alarm set for the same time in the a.m. – no excuses
• diet: if I eat crap, I’m going to feel like crap, and my performance will be… crap.
• training: there are good reasons to bail on practice, and there are not good reasons. I know the diff.
• attitude: see quote below.
• faith: sometimes its funny how you can feel so close to God, yet your actions don’t reflect it.

attitude:

Today is only truly responsible for right this very second. It cannot change the past, nor does it need to determine the future. If you are not satisfied with your today, you have the ability right now to pack it up, ship it off to a far away land, and start anew.
-Yours Truly

And I’m pretty sure that covers all of what I want to say. Real quick before someone pulls the hypocrite card on me, let me beat you to it and do it myself. One of my 2010 Goals was to be less “black and white.” Truthfully, that wasn’t really working for me. Yeah, it’s a tough job being Type A, but someone’s gotta do it. Let’s call it “taking one for the team.”

With that team, I’m leaving on a fun (and what seems like flash-back) Friday tradition…

FRIDAY CONFESSIONALS:

You know the rules: there are none! Anything goes, and I promise, I won’t tell a soul Leave em’ in the comments! Here is what I wanna get off my chest for the week:

1. Looking back through my lent journal so far… on 2/18 I said I was going to turn the computer OFF at 11:00 so it wouldn’t keep me up later than necessary. And under GU: I have written: “FAIL!!” Haha I got sucked into late night Olympics, and was up wayy late. Sorry Olympics, but starting yesterday, you’re just not that important any more!
2. The other day I walked down to the coffee shop, bought an oatmeal raisin (essentially raw dough) cookie  bigger than my face, and truthfully it tasted like heaven on a plate, but I wasn’t even hungry. Not sayin’ good food like that isn’t going to happen anymore, but I can promise it will be because I really want it, not just eating to eat.
3. I still love Tiger Woods.

Someone asked what this whole “Lent Journal” business was about… and basically it’s just that – a journal I started on day 1 of Lent… I write a goal in it every morning, and every night jot down some things I’m thankful for. Nothin’ fancy… looks a little somethin’ like this:

Hmmm so I’m pretty sure I’ve written and come back to this post in three different installments. Time. To. Go!
-E

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

Friday Confessionals: 01/08/2010

And the first ones of the new year too! I like it. Aright – you kids know the drill. Time to let go your guilt, admit to the MeanyThoughts, fess up to the xy&z of the week, and mooove on!

1. I drove around on a basically-flat tire for a couple of days. Knowingly. It was either an “inconvenient” time to go get it fixed, or I had “more important” things to do. And then the boy scared the hell outta me by saying it could blow out on the highway. And it took all of 10 minutes to fix and now my baby jellydonut is filled again.
2. My hip HURT yesterday. Like a mofo. I cried in the shower.
3. I blog/watch movies/use the McMac while I’m at the gym. ON the elliptical. Or stairs. Or xRunner. I am on a Life Fitness ellip right now. I would get photobooth happy if there were not people on the stair steppers behind me. It has led to some pretty interesting conversations though (and possibly new readers – HI!!) When I was writing my VitaMuffin Review, someone next to me laughed and asked “What’s a ‘Love Muffin’?” Hahahah!!

Oh, I’m sure there are other things I could confess to, but I already told you guys about my 7 oz. cinnamon roll, and as you know, I like to do things in three’s. Anyways, here’s your invitation to confess away and join in on the fun! Ok, next!

2010 Goal Updates: aka 2:10GU

Time for me to check in on my 2010 goals and see how they’ve been going. I know, we’ve only had 9 days of 2010, but if something’s not working (or I’m not even making an effort – coughswimmingcough) then it’s time to make a change! You will [hopefully] see this as a semi-regular feature here on Dr.TriRunner.. and for those of you who set goals in a similar fashion, I encourage you to do the same! (I’ll even let ya’ use my SupaFlyGoalUpdatesGingerman! ) I’ve gotta keep reminding myself, ”yo Sperly.. these are things you’re supposed to be working on!!” or I can’t expect any real progress to be made!  Here’s how things have been going so far:

1. SLEEP: Mmmm will continue to need work. I’ve been going to bed still later than I’m comfortable with, and in turn, I’ve been “making” myself sleep in later. I guess because I’m on break, that’s “fine”, but personally, it’s not. I have ALWAYS hated sleeping in… ever since I was like 5 and up at 5am watching Martha Stewart. I love my morning time with a cup of coffee… I love getting things accomplished early on in the day. When I wake up late, I feel like my day is basically half wasted, not to mention it just sets your body up to go to bed later/sleep in later again the next day. I think I might start jotting down the hours of sleep I’m getting in my 2010 Minnesota Training Log I got for xmas from the madre.

1. SWIMMING+CYCLING: Spinning = check! Swimming = FAIL! And I feel sooo dang hypocritical! I know said in my Train On Top Volume on SWIMMING that I feel sooo good when I get out, and blah blah blah. And especially since I admitted to my hip hurting.. that’s the biggest red flag to say go get in the pool. (Although unfortunately I can’t say my hip was hurting because I’ve been rocking so many runs lately ) Anyways, I got the spin part down. And I actually may have it even “down-er” in the near  future… Keep reading!!
2. LESS B-N’-DUB: I’m still working on a way to “measure” this goal… but even that seems pretty type A thinking to me! Haha I just can’t win! In terms of “going with the flow” I feel like that’s been pretty good in the whole nine days of 2010 we’ve had so far. Plans change.. you don’t know where your friends want to go ahead of time.. I’ve made it work. It’s probably also true though that I only think of the times that I am being flexible, and the times that I’m not get overlooked.

Hahaha shoot guys – I really want a photobooth photo right now! But the hombre on the stairs behind me looks like he’s dripping up a storm working hard and not going anywhere anytime soon! Ohhh wandering thoughts. Back on track:

Cha-Cha-Changes!

I know… I feel like I just said that. (Oh wait, I did!) But changes are good for you, and apparently very good for me if I’m trying to work on being less black & white! This goes back to my Swimming and Cycling goal….

One thing some of you guys might not know about me is that am/was a certified spin instructor! I say am, because… well, I am. I say was because I’m not currently teaching, and I haven’t for a while now. After talking with a guy at my gym back in November, my little flame for teaching was re-ignited, and I’m trying to get myself a spot back on the schedule! I’ve been spending probably too much time making up new playlists and putting together new hill/spring/base workouts. This isn’t something I mentioned before because I don’t want to get my hopes up about getting a spot teaching if it’s not actually going to happen – don’t want to jynx myself, ya know? But at the same time, I’m sure I’ll be teaching SOME DAY, whether it’s at the club I’m currently at or elsewhere.

True story: when I’m driving alone with the music pumpin, I definitely talk aloud like I’m teaching a spin class. Throwin’ in jumps and sprints and everything. Ohh the dumb things I say sometimes. Haha maybe that should have been part of my Friday Confessional!

I’ll need your help on this next one!

I know there are some awesome bloggies out there who are either beasts on the bike or they know how to rock a good playlist – Spin Lives the Good Life, The Fitnessista, & Tina over at Carrots N’ Cake. I could go on and on! So, in addition to throwin in your own Friday Confessions, I got one more favor to ask ya! Whether it be for spin, running, an elliptical workout, a pre-meet/race/game pump-up mix, what is the ONE SONG you would have to include? One thing that I did for spin was have a “spinner’s choice” day where I played songs that they chose, and this is sort of like a “reader’s choice”! I will post up once I have a good list of songs, and you never know, it might end up being played in a spin class not to long from now!

Adios muchachos!
-E

p.s. HAHAH GOT IT!! I was checking over my shoulder the entire time. Ready? Aim, Fire! Ignore the blur + the crazy look on my face… yo girl was working, and about to crack up!