Ever have one of those days when everything feels perfect? Your frame of mind, your health, your self-esteem, your financial security, your outlook for the future? When you feel relaxed yet excited, productive yet lazy, fortunate yet deserving?
I am having one of those days today.
When you're having one of those, ever have the simultaneous sense that something HUGE must be about to go wrong, and that maybe you don't deserve to feel this great, that somehow you are about to be punished for some misstep?
I had those thoughts briefly, but have decided to plow ahead with the good stuff.
In the past, when I would have the sense of everything being perfect, I would literally not allow myself to revel in it because I feared the bottom would fall out. When I would fear the bottom falling out, it would be just as bad as the bottom actually falling out, because whatever we think we tend to experience emotionally and neurologically (stress, eh?).
Is my life really perfect? No. There are some things missing from it that would be nice to have, and I'm not talking about money or possessions. But today, right now, it feels perfect.
Maybe it's because I was wise enough to tone things down a bit this week on training.
Maybe it's because my massage therapist and I have worked through an issue in my left upper back that allowed me to swim 5 seconds faster per 100 yards yesterday!!! And that on insufficient sleep!
Maybe it's because my new bike is coming together.
Maybe it's because it's springtime, and my bulbs and plants are beginning to poke through the ground, which means flowers are on their way!
Maybe it's because I've done a good deal of spring cleaning and my house is in "order."
Maybe it's because the weather is breaking and I rode my bike outside twice this week and may do it again today. I am reminded of just how much I love riding my bikes, how much I love being fit enough to ride fast, how I know I'm enjoying myself on a ride when I'm drooling slightly, when my legs are burning yet I have this perverse grin across my face (is she really smiling or is she gritting her teeth?).
Maybe it's because last spring I was so concerned with my Mom's condition and an upcoming Ironman and this spring feels like a cakewalk in comparison.
Maybe this feeling is because I'm racing tomorrow, and I really could care less how I match up against SBH, because even though she's beating me, I am still racing damn well considering I shouldn't even BE in race shape this soon. And I know I have put in 8 solid weeks of fairly hard-core training to prepare for Triple T.
Maybe this feeling is because I have been getting more sleep this week. Sleep tends to make or break me, and I have to honor my body's needs.
Maybe this feeling is because I have been eating a higher than usual amount of fat this week--avocados, cheese, steak, butter and even a little chocolate (I had to get some Fannie Mae Cream Eggs, damn the holiday candy makers!). I tend to eat so little fat much of the time that I neglect to treat myself, but realize now that I'm able to handle things in moderation.
In the end, why I feel this way is irrelevant. I am hereby turning off the analytical part of my brain and am going to proceed to continue on having a perfect day. I've already eaten breakfast, done the dishes, gathered up ingredients for tonight's cooking (Scallops Double Pepper Sauce from my Tabasco cookbook and Penne Puttanesca from a garlic-specific cookbook, so plenty of flavor in both dishes), planned out what I need to get done today, and now I'm going to get ready to ride.
Today is a fabulous gift that I've received, and the word "deserve" is irrelevant. It really is about Carpe diem!
Saturday, March 24, 2007
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
New Bike Porn!!!!
My bike frame arrived at the bike shop yesterday, so I HAD to go look at it! OMG, the thing is a work of art! Photo above, plus pics of some of the components. Don't worry--once she's put together, I'll post pics of herself here!
- Frame/fork: Pinarello Dogma FPX, magnesium alloy (go here to read more about it)
- Gruppo: Dura-Ace 10-speed (no I did not go Campy--I trust Shimano and like it)
- Wheelset: Fulcrum Racing Red
- Pedals: Dura-Ace 7800
- Skewers: Salsa Titanium Flip-Offs, Red
- Bars: Salsa Carbon Poco (yeah, I'm small, he he)
- Cages: Arundel Trident
- Power Meter: Ergomo Pro, compact carbon crankset (yes, I would have liked the SRM Pro with FSA compact carbon crankset, but a girl's got to save SOME pennies)
- Tires: Vittoria Open Pave CG green sidewalls (to complete the Italian flag)
- Shoes: Sidi Genius 5 Mesh (of course I had to pick friggin' expensive shoes, to boot, but you know they HAD to match!)
- Helmet: Limar 908 (amazingly I did not spend over $100 on the helmet!)
You cannot believe this frame--to me it's just plain sexy--to my LBSG, it's "bad-ass." Yeah, I'll be a bad-ass on that thing. The frame/fork weighs maybe 1.5 lbs.? I held it up by my pinkie finger! Both the fork and the seat stay are unpainted carbon fiber, and are just plain beautiful! I have seen a lot of nice bikes, but this is in a different league!
It's tough to say just how excited I am about this--I should have my parts next week, meaning I may be on the thing in under 2 weeks!
And her name? La Gazza Ladra. Figure that one out!
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Weekly Workout Totals 3/12/2007-3/18/2007 and Miscellaneous Stuff
Sorry this is a little late.
Recap of last week: I toned things down as I have been feeling like these crazy weekend race/long run combos have been doing a number on me. I've still got 2 1/2 months until Triple T, and I'll be ready for it, and then another 2 1/2 months until Ironman Lake Placid. No worries! Can you believe the Crackhead is not concerned about her training volume?
Truth is, I've been doing a bit of spring cleaning in the house. One thing led to another, and I am going through much of my house and doing detailed cleaning, which to me includes assessing every object and whether it needs to stay or go. I ended up shredding a bunch of old checking account ledgers (I've switched to paperless) and other financial stuff (word to the wise: if you are going to buy your own shredder, GET A GOOD ONE! The one I bought is a piece of crap and gets jammed if you look at it the wrong way), cleaning all exposed hardwood floors, vacuuming every closet to remove spider webs and dust bunnies, etc. I've got 2 cell phones that I am going to recycle, and an old IBM Thinkpad that is probably toast that I need to find an environmentally-friendly way to dispose of.
The other thing that's happened is buying a new bike has unleashed a spending binge of sorts, but on stuff I need. I already got 4 new swimsuits (my Splish addiction grows; but 3 of my old ones are nearly worn out so this is justified), I ordered shoes to match my new bike and the Bitch (I'm not talking about bike shoes here--these are REGULAR SHOES THAT MATCH!!!), ordered seeds and plants, some underwear (my basic Jockey stuff), a few CD's, a new triathlon book (I'll review it here when I've read it), a helmet, and I just ordered some winter cycling clothing for later this year and next year in my "big cycling year of 2008."
I used to be a real stickler about an insanely clean house, and then I took up triathlon. My house is still usually cleaner than any friends' homes I visit, even though they mostly have cleaning services, but I always think it could be cleaner. I've let go of a lot of my former cleanliness obsession, but getting back in touch with it on a temporary basis has been kind of fun. I remember in my pre-triathlon days when I'd have the house just so, and I would love spending a leisurely Sunday reading, cooking or sewing in a fully clean house! Now I'm just happy if I get the dishes done....
I've located a buyer for my Power Tap, and I'm close on selling my Trek road bike as well. Both will have great new homes and bring much enjoyment to their new owners. I hope I have the new steed next week!
I wrote to the head of a local bike club regarding membership, and I included my typical training paces. The response I received was that there are a "few" riders in the club that go that fast, but that most are recreational riders. Oh well, I'll keep looking...
Oh yeah--I have my last indoor triathlon this Sunday. Frankly, I don't care if I beat SBH--she's already won the series by beating me 3 times--but I decided this week that all my exercise is easy aerobic stuff--I am not doing a track workout on Wednesday, and I am not doing hard bike intervals except maybe today, and then next week will be my last week of rest, and then I really need to START TRAINING! My sleeping is improving--this morning I woke up at 3AM, and I read for 1/2 hour and then fell back asleep.
Have I commented yet about how my strength training has paid off this season? My arms, chest and back are all bigger and stronger than a year ago. My legs, hips and butts are still the same size, so WOO-FUCKING-HOO! For awhile there I was doing an extra session of upper body work, so I guess it has paid off. Funny thing is I haven't gained any weight, so my guess is my body fat went down maybe another .5-1%? Whatever, I can certainly tell how my new swimsuits fit that I've gotten a tad bigger across my chest and back. Now if only I would start swimming faster...whatever.
Happy Spring, by the way! It's only a matter of time before the daffodils are blooming, and I'll try and remember to take some photos of my flower beds, as the beautiful parade of blooms begins!
Weekly Totals 03/12/2007-03/18/2007
Swim: 7700 yards (4.37 miles) in 2.65 hours; 22% of weekly workout time; approx. 927 calories burned
Bike: Approx. 81.39 miles in 4.65 hours; 38% of weekly workout time; approx. 2131 calories burned
Run: Approx. 22.04 miles in 3.39 hours; 28% of weekly workout time; approx. 1532 calories burned
Strength: 1.48 hours; 12% of weekly workout time; approx. 370 calories burned
All Sports: Approx. 107.8 miles in 12.17 hours; approx. 4960 calories burned
Sleep: 8.21 hours avg./night
Stretching: 2.27 hours. Massage: 1.5 hours
Recap of last week: I toned things down as I have been feeling like these crazy weekend race/long run combos have been doing a number on me. I've still got 2 1/2 months until Triple T, and I'll be ready for it, and then another 2 1/2 months until Ironman Lake Placid. No worries! Can you believe the Crackhead is not concerned about her training volume?
Truth is, I've been doing a bit of spring cleaning in the house. One thing led to another, and I am going through much of my house and doing detailed cleaning, which to me includes assessing every object and whether it needs to stay or go. I ended up shredding a bunch of old checking account ledgers (I've switched to paperless) and other financial stuff (word to the wise: if you are going to buy your own shredder, GET A GOOD ONE! The one I bought is a piece of crap and gets jammed if you look at it the wrong way), cleaning all exposed hardwood floors, vacuuming every closet to remove spider webs and dust bunnies, etc. I've got 2 cell phones that I am going to recycle, and an old IBM Thinkpad that is probably toast that I need to find an environmentally-friendly way to dispose of.
The other thing that's happened is buying a new bike has unleashed a spending binge of sorts, but on stuff I need. I already got 4 new swimsuits (my Splish addiction grows; but 3 of my old ones are nearly worn out so this is justified), I ordered shoes to match my new bike and the Bitch (I'm not talking about bike shoes here--these are REGULAR SHOES THAT MATCH!!!), ordered seeds and plants, some underwear (my basic Jockey stuff), a few CD's, a new triathlon book (I'll review it here when I've read it), a helmet, and I just ordered some winter cycling clothing for later this year and next year in my "big cycling year of 2008."
I used to be a real stickler about an insanely clean house, and then I took up triathlon. My house is still usually cleaner than any friends' homes I visit, even though they mostly have cleaning services, but I always think it could be cleaner. I've let go of a lot of my former cleanliness obsession, but getting back in touch with it on a temporary basis has been kind of fun. I remember in my pre-triathlon days when I'd have the house just so, and I would love spending a leisurely Sunday reading, cooking or sewing in a fully clean house! Now I'm just happy if I get the dishes done....
I've located a buyer for my Power Tap, and I'm close on selling my Trek road bike as well. Both will have great new homes and bring much enjoyment to their new owners. I hope I have the new steed next week!
I wrote to the head of a local bike club regarding membership, and I included my typical training paces. The response I received was that there are a "few" riders in the club that go that fast, but that most are recreational riders. Oh well, I'll keep looking...
Oh yeah--I have my last indoor triathlon this Sunday. Frankly, I don't care if I beat SBH--she's already won the series by beating me 3 times--but I decided this week that all my exercise is easy aerobic stuff--I am not doing a track workout on Wednesday, and I am not doing hard bike intervals except maybe today, and then next week will be my last week of rest, and then I really need to START TRAINING! My sleeping is improving--this morning I woke up at 3AM, and I read for 1/2 hour and then fell back asleep.
Have I commented yet about how my strength training has paid off this season? My arms, chest and back are all bigger and stronger than a year ago. My legs, hips and butts are still the same size, so WOO-FUCKING-HOO! For awhile there I was doing an extra session of upper body work, so I guess it has paid off. Funny thing is I haven't gained any weight, so my guess is my body fat went down maybe another .5-1%? Whatever, I can certainly tell how my new swimsuits fit that I've gotten a tad bigger across my chest and back. Now if only I would start swimming faster...whatever.
Happy Spring, by the way! It's only a matter of time before the daffodils are blooming, and I'll try and remember to take some photos of my flower beds, as the beautiful parade of blooms begins!
Weekly Totals 03/12/2007-03/18/2007
Swim: 7700 yards (4.37 miles) in 2.65 hours; 22% of weekly workout time; approx. 927 calories burned
Bike: Approx. 81.39 miles in 4.65 hours; 38% of weekly workout time; approx. 2131 calories burned
Run: Approx. 22.04 miles in 3.39 hours; 28% of weekly workout time; approx. 1532 calories burned
Strength: 1.48 hours; 12% of weekly workout time; approx. 370 calories burned
All Sports: Approx. 107.8 miles in 12.17 hours; approx. 4960 calories burned
Sleep: 8.21 hours avg./night
Stretching: 2.27 hours. Massage: 1.5 hours
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