Weekend Cabin Time!

This past weekend we had some cabin time! Usually cabin time means driving past Duluth and up to Two Harbors, a good 3-4 hour haul, and since summer is construction season it sometimes means longer car drives. Blah. When you only have a weekend i hate spending a full day ( 4 + 4 hours) in the car.

So, we rode our bikes!

We didnt ride THAT far, but we did ride parallel to 35 and stopped at our good friend Scott and Jill's lake house in Pine City. What a perfect distance on a perfect day. It was roads getting out of the city and then pretty much trails ( paved) all the way. We had a HOT sticky day just as I like it saturday and with a 7am departure from south of st paul where we all live, we made it in 4 hours. Awesome ride, awesome pace. I had marching orders to not bury myself. Since i am not doing anymore LONG races ( ie 70.3's) my training is less on duration and more on intensity. I did not have orders tho to NOT BURY my riding partners. hehehe. Whenever i got to the front Rich and Scott had to tell me to back off. That is too funny. I think i just wanted to get the sprint points into the little towns. But heck, there were all these yield and slow signs that we had to stop for and those men can ramp it up to 20-21-22mph in 2 pedal strokes wheras i am dropped and coming along at 15-16-17-etc...you get the idea. WAIT..!!!!

I kinda was hammering on the front bc:

1) I felt good

2) I didnt want them coasting down my back on any incline

3) why not? And seriously who am i kidding, those guys are faster than i am so i was having fun in my lala land at the front.

When we arrived 78 miles later, around 11am, we were greeted with this view:

I hustled inside the cabin to get my stuff and make a nice recovery drink of mocha ultragen, while the others cuddled up to some hot java. *Wait? How did she get her stuff up there?

Scott was nice enough to take our overnight bags at the FarmDog TT last week so we had all our stuff waiting for us when we arrived. Including my bag of wet sweaty shoes and heart rate monitor. Gross. I got that out to dry pronto!

As you can see it was hot out, we lounged, Jill made us a nice lunch and we just hung out. Rode around on teh pontoon boat, swam ( no just paddled, got wet, didnt SWIM) and before you knew it we had 4pm on the clock. Whoa, where did the day go? Well it's 5pm someplace so we broke open a few Tommy knockers ( the beer we had at the end of the Triple Bypass, Yup that is Scott, from the Triple) and relived that day. Jill was patient as we sat there trying to come up with what 2011 would bring in the realm of Epicness.

Meanwhile Tessa, the lovely elderly Lab, had had enough of the bee's and went inside. Plus it was hot out, so inside was nice.

As far as plans for 2011, ideas tossed around are:

Death Ride ( but logistically a nightmare from MN)

Triple Bypass again ( perhaps, but not likely)

Horribly Hilly 100 ( location location location = good)

OR doing something the guys come up with on their own, like when they kept going last year and rode 240 miles to Finland MN in one day. Um, count me OUT.

Of course I am all for the one day, get it done, someone else plans and does the sag and makes me rest stop sandwiches ( the food on teh triple was so good, or maybe i was just starving.)

So who knows. And I plan to sign up for IM MOO, so that is my epicness for 2011. Yup. I think i did decide. OF course i have to volunteer in the med tent for 4 hours sunday so that may change my mind. But if they need a PT in the med tent, well...I think it may be too late for you if i am diagnosing some weakness or imbalance on race day. "Yup, you need to work on that left glute and try this IM thing again in 8 weeks."

The rest of the cabin weekend was more hanging out, a great dinner, and eyelids heavy at 9pm. I think i made it to 10.

6am dawned. ( seriously, do those guys sleep?) and i huffed and puffed refusing to get out of bed till 7:30 am when they left to go ride. I had a 10 mile run on the docket and knew i had to get going. A storm had blown thru and heck it was 58 and COLD out with a STIFF WEST WIND. I was quite glad to be running and not biking in that and set out on a course Scott had suggested. I stuffed a Roctane ( Pinneapple) in my bra and my directions. OFf I went on a fartlek run. The Fartlek went well, aided by farm dogs that were pretty happy to bark and run after me as i envisioned a season ending leg wound from their sharp teeth. Yuk. At one point i even stopped to walk bc I just was afraid what they could do.

The Roctane was awesome. Hmm...may have to change my allegiance, since Powerbar didnt want me on their team, maybe its time to go GU!

Got in ( legs intact) when the boys did and went for a swim, since i knew that i would only get colder, as the wind was picking up and the temps were not climbing out of the 60's as rain set in. Brr...but the water felt ok and my fartlek swim just became a short swim dock to swim dock effort for about 20 minutes. Good enough.

Scott brought us home that night, how nice is that, our own personal taxi:) What a nice weekend!

I promised a few Ruby pics, she has been neglected on the blog bc its race season but here goes:

She helped me pick veggies at my parents. She is able to paw under the fence to get the cherry tomatoes and then helps herself. The Raspberries are a bit scarier with all the bee's.

What a doll.
Have a great week everyone I hope your summer bounty is as full as mine has been this past week and weekend.

Compression Garments

Now I know what these are SUPPOSED to feel like...

So I have one pair of tights that are billed as compression. I think they are warm, but they arent tight. Granted Maybe i got the wrong size. Or I am too scrawny to fill them out. But I got these yesterday at Run N Fun a local running store that keeps me stylin and in good footwear.

I have not heard of this brand but CW-X is awesome. These babies are TIGHT, and feel like they are actually doing something without being 2 sizes too small. I debated getting the full tights but knowing i have an armada of colored RecoverySox ( thanks Jen! and Marco!) I decided i am not gonna be out running around in these anyways.

Plus it is going to be in the high 80's this weekend, and humid. YAHOO. Just what i need. I buy heavy tights, and the temps go up. Granted i had better not get any swimsuits or it may get cold again.

And because she is so dang cute.

Ruby with her tennis ball. And yes, she barks with it, and i dont think she sleeps with it yet, but the backyard is like a battle field. Every night we pick up a dozen balls, and then the next day it all starts over again.

Live Free or Die

The granite of New Hampshire and my love for Dartmouth brought me to that Title.

I want to live my life with no rules and without looking over my shoulder wondering if I offended anyone or If something i write or post on the internet is going to haunt me or hurt me or a loved one. So that being said I thought alot about what you all said in the comments and what this blog means to me.

Ahem. IT IS A BLOG. Hello...! ? nothing more nothing less. I know that if i dont post a wide variety of things then i worried people would think all I did was train. That i was a Jen Harrison Automatic Triathlete. Jen = my higher power. And then i start to put personal things on and it is used to hurt me and a loved one. Ok. Cant win can ya?

I fully intend to keep writing it and I fully intend to not let anyone else's baggage and issues become mine. Because if I start omitting things that make me who I am, then what is the point of writing this blog anyways? Eh? Then we are all crazy and pretending to be what we arent.

I am not moving to Hawaii, but it sure sounds nice, but with some recent events I sure have wanted to get out of this zip code. At the same time tho I can tell you that I am downright ecstatic and happily in love. I cant say it any better than that.

Marriage suits us and we are happy to be where we are today. Nothing more nothing less. We just get up early like alot of folks, head to the pool or the bike, go to work, see our families and friends, go to church, eat, sleep, nothing too fancy. It is just how things work. And it is working for us, we have nothing to complain about and we work very hard to remind each other how lucky we are and how we CHOOSE DAILY...we have a choice, what our attitude will be to things that may challenge us. We try very hard to be honest with ourselves and know we cant change anyone else, but we can change how we react and what we let demonize us.

As for Rich's health..it saddens me that at a time when he is struggling with real physical issues and challenges that he is forced to deal with material and trivial issues that really do nothing more but raise his stress and anxiety. His job is tiring and challenging but he loves it too, and feels he really is able to help people and do a good job of it. If you need your wisdom teeth out or some oral surgery, let me know.

My job is keeping me happy and luckily not as stressed. I love my job! I get to teach people how to stand up tall and work on their strength and balance in a way that they genuinely seem to enjoy. One of my students told me the other day that " Class was almost fun!" haha. Love that.

Here is a picture of all the toys i have in my basket for an obstacle course i set up.

Bubble wrap, towels, dyna disc, etc....i think i was picking up so the santa is in the basket but they had to walk on different surfaces with dark glasses and carry the basket. Arent I nice? They even got to be near the railing if they needed it:)

And just because I am feeling like sharing all the good in my life, I had to share this picture of me ballgirling for Chrissie Evert. I must have been in 6th grade, and there was a tournament at the old Met Center. Remember those yellow and green seats? GO NORTH STARS! Oh they are in Dallas now? :)

Ok then, back to business. Blogging about training, triathlon and maybe some visits with Roger and Ruby. She is doing well:) happy as a clam~! But one Very Important question...should i get my name on my backside on my new Tri kit? My new name wont fit but my first name would.

Should I? Should I?

Ruby say's: It's time to get WET! ..and Bootleg recipe..a virtual smorgasbord post.

Ruby has declared it is indeed time for some fun in the water. She isnt a big swimmer yet; Since she is a rescue dog and is already 3 yo it is obvious she had never been in the water before. She LOVES the sprinkler and thinks the hose is the best thing since..her ball. Swimming is awkward for her. ( Ahem I mean I think i can relate) but she seems to be more interested in going in the lake than she was a month ago.

As for my water pursuits, I did my first OW swim this summer sans wetsuit = sans floaty that made me want to hurry it up at the buoys instead of bob up and down and chat.


Here are some smiley folks after the swim. The water was so warm, and the air, was so NOT warm. Steve and I then headed out for a long run after the swim. Square Lake has a great route around the lake and since we needed to do a 90 min run we just added on to the route used for the Square Lake Tri. Hills and wildlife were abundent. And we finally got our legs back and warmed up. Sadly my 1st non wet suit swim meant my tri suit cut into my tummy and my neck, so no wearing that again. ouch. Sunscreen felt oh so good before the run. not.

Life is clipping along. Jen has loaded me up last week since the race and thru sunday am before i board a plane to Vancouver for our Alaskan Cruise. I asked for it, but I am tired but know that the cruise awaits. Marit was nice enough to give me some good "must see's" and some hikes while in port to keep my legs active. Thanks Marit!

And on another fluid based tangent, here is the recipe for Bootlegs...
Ingredients:

Mint: 100 spearmint leaves

Limeade and Lemonade: 1 can each


Seltzer/Club Soda/Mineral water/ vodka or gin or bourbon or whatever you like..



Blender...
1) wash and chop up mint in blender till it is small-ish. Up to you how small, it sure doesnt have to be dust size, i kinda like a pesto type look, and if you have women that are squeemish about getting stuff in their teeth tell 'em to chill.

2) Add the lemon and lime ade to the above chopped mint.

3) Now take 2 parts Boot ade mix and add 1 part chosen liquid ( if you choose it) vodka goes nicely but i know people who have had these with rum or gin as well and serve in a tall-er glass with ice.


4) Top off with seltzer or mineral water.

Now know you can surely do these without any alcohol.
You can also store the leftover Boot ade mix in a gatorade container or something like that in the freezer and other than the mint getting less vibrant, they still taste fine. Basically it is sugar- ade and you are watering it down with seltzer and booze should you choose.

Enjoy and tho they are sorta like a mojito(I dont really like mojitos, so go figure) it is more like lemon lime margarita without that tequila taste. ( or the after effects, IMO)

PS: how do you spell smorgasboard anyways?? :)

Minnesota in June

Ok before i get to MN in June...Roger won:) Ties Pistol Pete for the most Grand Slams and will possibly surpass Pete if he can win on Grass at Wimbledon. He and his wife Mirka are also expecting a little Roger  or Rogerette. Ok we now resume our regular programming:

I started this post with all sorts of pictures of 45 degree dashboards, and rain ( kept one) and even thought I could mess with you and put in some snow pics. But then I decided that there are some great things about it being 45 in the early morning, no sun, rain and highs of maybe 60 today? I dont think we got there. So here we go...Why cold-er weather is OK! Yes, say it 10 times outloud. Right it down and post it where you can see it, on the mirror, fridge ( i go there more than the mirror) and just know it cant get colder. I hope.

It has gotten much greener with the rain. And the lawns and farmers need it. Our sweet corn from FLA and CA tastes great, but MN corn is the best so we need to get those crops Knee high in July. Right now i think the crops are too Pune (y) in June ( y). Bad, ok.

Look at the neat fall gear we can wear. My sister is sporting her Tinley jacket, circa 1984? From the Tinley store in Del Mar, Ca. Likely a Lulu store now. And I have on tights and a fleece jacket.

My parents were kind enough to pose as well. Note the double sweater on my dad. And my mom has her HEAVY wool sweater on. I learned to layer living in this house. Heat rarely went up and we wore down vests around the house. If you come visit we will have one for you. It is an old house, cold in the winter, cold in the summer. Who needs AC? Not us, and not likely anyone this past weekend.

Ruby has a show coat. She gets VERY hot. When it is cooler out she doesnt get as hot and is more able to pose and pay attention when my mom is feeding her popcorn.

Other good things about the cold june thus far:
- I am not dehydrated after a run. Today i went running to warm up after i swam in the lake.
- I love hot tea so i get to drink more of that in the AM and I also eat my oatmeal hot still. I eat it cold in the summer.
-Many of you know I have had melanoma. This way I still use sunscreen but i have less desire to have bare arms and legs. Less likely to get skin cancer!
-Sleeping with the windows open is great! I dont have AC either so it can get stuffy in here.
-Rich's Pool isnt ready yet. Long story. But despite wanting to take my ice bath in the pool there is no need to take a dip to cool off.
BUT...

I surely hope it warms up bc next weekend when i come running out of the lake and have this on underneath my wetsuit ( or something like it) I sure dont want to have to put on many layers in order to warm myself for the long ride ahead. That does concern me. But if I do have to put on a jersey I do. So be it. I dont overheat too often when it is highs of 70. So better to be a tad toasty, than a chilled.

Happy week ahead folks, send us some warmer temps and even some humdity please. And if I EVER on this blog complain that i am too hot, please feel free to out me.

Ruby Update:

Soon we hope she will be home in MN. Ruby was supposed to come up to MN this weekend but in the middle of last week she had a stomach virus and was throwing up and not eating. She had a temp of 104 and needed IV ( well they dont do an IV but they inject fluids under their skin).
So far she is doing better and my mom is in constant communication with Karen, Ruby's foster mom, shown in the pic. As of now Ruby is scheduled to come home to MN on Wednesday. The Vet in Iowa isnt sure if she has a UTI or if possibly since she is a rescue dog this is part psychological.
Last night I attempted to watch Marley and Me but was met with a sudden outburst of tears at a turning point in the movie so I think i am the one with psychological issues :) My sister got out of the room in time, but I didnt. oops. Went upstairs and did dishes and weeped for a bit and let the movie run out while Rich and his daughter shed a few tears.

Today is a new day, I rested ( I always sleep well after a good cry!), did a killer workout (Just when I think Jen has given me the worst it comes full circle and then some...)Ruby ate, ( I ate too, alot...) and so... we hope that we will soon meet our Easter Pup.

Happy Easter to you all.