I came up with a project to get me out of the post-triathlon, post-Appalachia service trip, post-duathlon blues. Its called "Get 'er Done!" You know that list of to do's that gets passed on from week to week, month to month, and before you realize it, its a year later and your list the same as it was a year ago? I know the Rebarchiks reading this know the list.
By observing other more-organized people, I've realized how much energy it takes to drag the "junk" on that list everywhere you go. I think the formula is something like this. Let's say you have some trim and a door to paint. And let's say painting and hanging trim would take 3 hours. Instead of taking 3 hours on a weeknight or a weekend and just "getting 'er done," you let 5 months pass without doing it, instead you just think about doing it...shame yourself for not doing it...feel irritated that its not done...think about the burglary that caused that door to need replacing...think about selling this house so it won't be burglarized again...and you decide not to paint the door just yet because you aren't ready to sell the house?! Every week you think of this project at least 5 times. Sometimes for just a few seconds, sometimes a few minutes. You spend an average of 10 minutes a week thinking of this project, too distracted to really do anything else productive. By the end of 5 months, you've wasted 200 minutes....with nothing to show other than an unpainted door and some unhung trim. It only would have taken you 180 minutes to get the project done.
So let's say I do this project next weekend. Over the next 5 months, I will have 210 extra minutes (or 30 I guess depending on how you look at it). What would I do with that time? Walk the dog, go for a longer run, scrub the bathtub, shop, iron, cook, bake, visit with a friend, read a book, organize photos, make a new IPod mix, watch a movie, play with some kids, pray, hang some curtains....
I figure with my new "Get Er Done" project, I should end up with several extra hours each week to engage in more leisure activities. Worry, procrastination, and avoidance are stealing too much time and energy! Its time to just do it, GET ER DONE!!
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Long time no blog
A few people have asked me why I haven't posted anything lately. Mostly because I've been busy enjoying the summer and avoiding re-building my computer after my hard drive crashed a few weeks ago. Although it sucks to have lost all of my music, photos, customization, bookmarks, and who knows what else, I am trying to take this as an opportunity to get organized. Now that the weather is turning, I will likely be spending more time online so please send me links to your blogs so I can keep up with what everyone is doing.
Oh, and I really don't have anything very interesting to report or invent. Post-triathlon blues, I guess. I need a new goal or project. Any ideas??
Oh, and I really don't have anything very interesting to report or invent. Post-triathlon blues, I guess. I need a new goal or project. Any ideas??
Monday, July 14, 2008
The woman who starts the race, is not the same woman who finishes the race.
Danskin Women’s Triathlon Series - Chicagoland 7/13/08 .75K Swim 20K Bike 5K Run
I’m still flying high after an awesome and exhilarating day yesterday! Despite 2 days of pre-race anxiety, Sunday morning at 4:00 a.m. came and a calm, inspired energy consumed me and I was so ready for the day. It rocked. ☺
REBARCHIK, JENNIFER Bib #189 F 30-34 MILWAUKEE , WI 53222
Final Time: 01:36:41
Overall Rank: 743 of 3650 That’s a top 20% finish! Who knew I had that in me? Well apparently some of my supporters did, but I sure didn’t.
When I met Sally Edwards on April 22, she asked me why I was doing "the Danskin." I said something about getting divorced and needing something else to think about. She autographed her training book for me and advised “Train to be your strongest.” I followed her advice and it worked.
I didn’t just participate in the largest sprint distance triathlon in the world yesterday, I proved I could overcome a long list of yeahbuts.
10. But what if my Crohn’s acts up?
Learning to pay closer attention to what I eat and when I eat it helped with this one. Also Pentasa works pretty well when taken as prescribed. And I learned to just do it [exercise] anyway, even if my intestines have a different agenda.
9. But my lungs….asthma!
Those Albuterol inhalers really do help! Thanks Dr. Shallue. Although I lost my inhaler after the swim, I had it when I needed it 20 minutes prior to the swim start. I think it made the swim with me in my tank top pocket under my wetsuit, but must have fallen out in the lake during my very clumsy wetsuit stripping. [What’s the trick to stopping the wetsuit from getting hung up on your ankles?] I am still not totally in the habit of using my inhaler before a workout, but I have learned that although I can wheeze my way through a run, its much better to breathe my way through.
8. But I don’t have the time to train.
I work 40+ hours/week plus some travel, have The Cosmo to take care of, family and friends to visit, a house and garden to take care of… Thanks to all of my wonderfully supportive family and friends for your unending support and encouragement!
7. But I don’t have anyone to train with.
I did this for me and no one else. Period. Although I’ve proven I don’t need anyone to train with, it would be fun to have a training team next time around so we can all bask in the glory together. Who’s in?
6. But my mom doesn’t think I can do it.
In spite of her telling me I can’t swim, asking me repeatedly “you’re going to do what?”, looking at me like I’m crazy for thinking I can do this, and wondering why would I EVER wake up at 4:00a.m. to exercise… guess what mom? I can and I did. And I did it well.
5. But I don’t know how to change a flat or properly inflate my tires!
Technically I do know how now but haven’t ever actually changed a flat on my own. But I do carry a flat kit now, have helped change 3 flats in the past 2 weeks, and have gotten better at asking for help without extreme pangs of guilt and fear of rejection. Thanks to my good friends at Emery’s, David, and the REI folks for their help with bike maintenance. I promise to get the correct Presta attachment for my pump really soon. I did pump my tires myself on race morning! Thank goodness my bike held out during the race! There were so many things that could have gone badly yesterday and well, they just didn’t.
4. But running is hard and I’ll never break a 10-minute mile.
Yeah it’s hard and that’s why it is so rewarding. It’s hard and I do it anyway. Thanks to my trainer at the WAC who taught me how to use a heart rate monitor, the treadmills that taught me how to keep a steady pace, and the Badgerland Striders for hosting fun runs that made my confidence soar. Sara, Beth, Dave, Petra, Monica, Steve, and numerous nameless runners helped me go faster than I thought I could each week. Seeing a 27-minute finish for a 3-mile run was definitely a high point in my training. 9-minute miles. Take that every P.E. teacher and volleyball coach I ever had. It makes me wonder what other impossible feats I can accomplish.
3. But my car accident. I’ll never do it now!
After being rear ended in April, I started to wonder if my fate as a non-swimmer and non-triathlete was sealed. I missed my last 2 (of 7) swimming classes in April and lost several weeks of practice in April and May due to back and shoulder injuries. Much thanks to my Physical Therapist, Chrissy, for helping me regain my strength and manage the pain and well, do it anyway.
2. But I don’t know how to swim!
Not true anymore. I signed up for a “Stroke Time Improvement” class in March and after just one class I could swim! (It was ugly, but my face was in the water and my body was moving forward for the very first time in 31 years!) I’m still not a huge fan of cold water, but I’ve learned that even when the water is cold, you get in it anyway and just DO IT! Much thanks to my various swim coaches and trainers who helped me perfect my stroke. Most notable thanks to Steve, my personal trainer at the WAC who got me through my self-doubt in the final weeks of training, Lauren Jensen whose love of the sport made me wonder why I didn’t do this sooner (LaurenWON the race yesterday), and Mary Meyers from Seattle who walked me through my first open water swimming experience and showed me it is not terrifying, it is really fun, and it is really more about mental control than physical ability.
1. But I’m too depressed.
After 3 years of divorce hell, I finally had something else to focus on. Although the prep did remind me a bit of wedding prep, this was way more fun and an accomplishment no one can take away from me. Ever. When people ask who I am now, I don’t feel the urge to explain “I’m a divorcee.” Instead I can say with pride “I am a triathlete. I swim. I bike. I run.”
Here are the rest of my stats:
Class Rank 108 of 370 (Top 29%)
Swim 00:18:59 Swim Rank 1933 (Top 53%)
I was feeling confident and excited as Sally led the countdown to my 7:04 a.m. blast off from Lake Andrea Beach. “I am an awesome swimmer!” was our chant as Eye of the Tiger played in the background. The wave wasn’t as big as I expected (maybe 100) and contrary to what many other triathletes warned, I did not get swum over and I very quickly had a comfortable space cushion where I could just front crawl my way across that lake. For awhile I thought I would never be out of “the middle of the lake” and wondered if I was making any forward progress at all. But then I noticed I was passing some blue caps and green caps, and some were passing me. I was shocked when sand appeared under my hands…OMG- that’s the ground—I’m done! And I’m not even tired. Did I really just swim across that lake? That was fun. And kinda easy. Maybe I’ll do a couple more lengths. Naahhh, I wanna go for a bike ride. Seeing and hearing Michelle, Melissa, and Chris cheering me on as I arose from the lake and headed for T1 helped to permanently plaster that silly grin to my face for the rest of the day (actually, its still there). They told me “You did good! 7:24. I didn’t believe them. I felt like I was barely moving, yet I swam that lake faster than I ever swam during training? Wow, this was going to be a good day.
Trans1 00:03:14
During the first transition, I swear people were moving in slow motion. I thought it was going to be a fast turnaround between events, but instead I had this feeling like I was the only one in that transition area doing this crazy event. But as I grabbed my bike with fully inflated tires, I was excited to go for a ride on this gorgeous day.
Bike 00:42:47 Bike Rank 593 (Top 16%) MPH 17.3
Not bad considering miles 6-10 were uphill into a strong wind. I immediately started to wonder if I was in a race or just out for a leisurely ride, since most athletes were just casually pedaling along. I was glad to get passed a few times because it reminded me I could go fast, too if I wanted. I passed a lot of people, cheering them on as I passed. I felt fast and confident and proud as the mile markers flew by. Thanks Brent and Ben from my group ride a few weeks earlier, for teaching me how to “spin” and ride in an easier gear to save energy and keep a steady pace.
Trans2 00:02:28
I don’t know why it took me 2 and a half minutes to take off my bike helmet and grab a shot block. Maybe it was my hesitation as I passed the port-o-pots wondering if I should stop and relieve my bulging bladder. I didn’t stop but maybe my run would have been faster if I did.
Run 00:29:12 Run Rank 862 (Top 23%) Pace 00:09:25
The run was hard because I seriously felt like I was the only person out running that day and sort of lost track of the fact that I was in a race. There were tons of spectators strolling along the running path and barely another athlete in sight. Where was everyone? Didn’t I start this race with about 300 other women? It was almost mile 3 before I came across a few other runners. My run felt slow and I was starting to feel tired, but when I heard I only had a half mile left I thought “This is great. I am going to finish strong. I still feel pretty good.” As I approached the home stretch, there was my cheering section once again and the sound of their voices sent me bolting towards the finish.
This was one of my favorite parts of the race. As I dashed past the crowd of spectators, I heard the announcer say something like “Woah! This one really turned it on….[who is this number 189?]. As I crossed the finish line I heard “And that was Jennifer Rebarchik!" Yes it was. Proud and strong and giddy with excitement, ready to go again.
Half IronMan. I think you're next.
p.s. (visit again soon for photos)
I’m still flying high after an awesome and exhilarating day yesterday! Despite 2 days of pre-race anxiety, Sunday morning at 4:00 a.m. came and a calm, inspired energy consumed me and I was so ready for the day. It rocked. ☺
REBARCHIK, JENNIFER Bib #189 F 30-34 MILWAUKEE , WI 53222
Final Time: 01:36:41
Overall Rank: 743 of 3650 That’s a top 20% finish! Who knew I had that in me? Well apparently some of my supporters did, but I sure didn’t.
When I met Sally Edwards on April 22, she asked me why I was doing "the Danskin." I said something about getting divorced and needing something else to think about. She autographed her training book for me and advised “Train to be your strongest.” I followed her advice and it worked.
I didn’t just participate in the largest sprint distance triathlon in the world yesterday, I proved I could overcome a long list of yeahbuts.
10. But what if my Crohn’s acts up?
Learning to pay closer attention to what I eat and when I eat it helped with this one. Also Pentasa works pretty well when taken as prescribed. And I learned to just do it [exercise] anyway, even if my intestines have a different agenda.
9. But my lungs….asthma!
Those Albuterol inhalers really do help! Thanks Dr. Shallue. Although I lost my inhaler after the swim, I had it when I needed it 20 minutes prior to the swim start. I think it made the swim with me in my tank top pocket under my wetsuit, but must have fallen out in the lake during my very clumsy wetsuit stripping. [What’s the trick to stopping the wetsuit from getting hung up on your ankles?] I am still not totally in the habit of using my inhaler before a workout, but I have learned that although I can wheeze my way through a run, its much better to breathe my way through.
8. But I don’t have the time to train.
I work 40+ hours/week plus some travel, have The Cosmo to take care of, family and friends to visit, a house and garden to take care of… Thanks to all of my wonderfully supportive family and friends for your unending support and encouragement!
7. But I don’t have anyone to train with.
I did this for me and no one else. Period. Although I’ve proven I don’t need anyone to train with, it would be fun to have a training team next time around so we can all bask in the glory together. Who’s in?
6. But my mom doesn’t think I can do it.
In spite of her telling me I can’t swim, asking me repeatedly “you’re going to do what?”, looking at me like I’m crazy for thinking I can do this, and wondering why would I EVER wake up at 4:00a.m. to exercise… guess what mom? I can and I did. And I did it well.
5. But I don’t know how to change a flat or properly inflate my tires!
Technically I do know how now but haven’t ever actually changed a flat on my own. But I do carry a flat kit now, have helped change 3 flats in the past 2 weeks, and have gotten better at asking for help without extreme pangs of guilt and fear of rejection. Thanks to my good friends at Emery’s, David, and the REI folks for their help with bike maintenance. I promise to get the correct Presta attachment for my pump really soon. I did pump my tires myself on race morning! Thank goodness my bike held out during the race! There were so many things that could have gone badly yesterday and well, they just didn’t.
4. But running is hard and I’ll never break a 10-minute mile.
Yeah it’s hard and that’s why it is so rewarding. It’s hard and I do it anyway. Thanks to my trainer at the WAC who taught me how to use a heart rate monitor, the treadmills that taught me how to keep a steady pace, and the Badgerland Striders for hosting fun runs that made my confidence soar. Sara, Beth, Dave, Petra, Monica, Steve, and numerous nameless runners helped me go faster than I thought I could each week. Seeing a 27-minute finish for a 3-mile run was definitely a high point in my training. 9-minute miles. Take that every P.E. teacher and volleyball coach I ever had. It makes me wonder what other impossible feats I can accomplish.
3. But my car accident. I’ll never do it now!
After being rear ended in April, I started to wonder if my fate as a non-swimmer and non-triathlete was sealed. I missed my last 2 (of 7) swimming classes in April and lost several weeks of practice in April and May due to back and shoulder injuries. Much thanks to my Physical Therapist, Chrissy, for helping me regain my strength and manage the pain and well, do it anyway.
2. But I don’t know how to swim!
Not true anymore. I signed up for a “Stroke Time Improvement” class in March and after just one class I could swim! (It was ugly, but my face was in the water and my body was moving forward for the very first time in 31 years!) I’m still not a huge fan of cold water, but I’ve learned that even when the water is cold, you get in it anyway and just DO IT! Much thanks to my various swim coaches and trainers who helped me perfect my stroke. Most notable thanks to Steve, my personal trainer at the WAC who got me through my self-doubt in the final weeks of training, Lauren Jensen whose love of the sport made me wonder why I didn’t do this sooner (LaurenWON the race yesterday), and Mary Meyers from Seattle who walked me through my first open water swimming experience and showed me it is not terrifying, it is really fun, and it is really more about mental control than physical ability.
1. But I’m too depressed.
After 3 years of divorce hell, I finally had something else to focus on. Although the prep did remind me a bit of wedding prep, this was way more fun and an accomplishment no one can take away from me. Ever. When people ask who I am now, I don’t feel the urge to explain “I’m a divorcee.” Instead I can say with pride “I am a triathlete. I swim. I bike. I run.”
Here are the rest of my stats:
Class Rank 108 of 370 (Top 29%)
Swim 00:18:59 Swim Rank 1933 (Top 53%)
I was feeling confident and excited as Sally led the countdown to my 7:04 a.m. blast off from Lake Andrea Beach. “I am an awesome swimmer!” was our chant as Eye of the Tiger played in the background. The wave wasn’t as big as I expected (maybe 100) and contrary to what many other triathletes warned, I did not get swum over and I very quickly had a comfortable space cushion where I could just front crawl my way across that lake. For awhile I thought I would never be out of “the middle of the lake” and wondered if I was making any forward progress at all. But then I noticed I was passing some blue caps and green caps, and some were passing me. I was shocked when sand appeared under my hands…OMG- that’s the ground—I’m done! And I’m not even tired. Did I really just swim across that lake? That was fun. And kinda easy. Maybe I’ll do a couple more lengths. Naahhh, I wanna go for a bike ride. Seeing and hearing Michelle, Melissa, and Chris cheering me on as I arose from the lake and headed for T1 helped to permanently plaster that silly grin to my face for the rest of the day (actually, its still there). They told me “You did good! 7:24. I didn’t believe them. I felt like I was barely moving, yet I swam that lake faster than I ever swam during training? Wow, this was going to be a good day.
Trans1 00:03:14
During the first transition, I swear people were moving in slow motion. I thought it was going to be a fast turnaround between events, but instead I had this feeling like I was the only one in that transition area doing this crazy event. But as I grabbed my bike with fully inflated tires, I was excited to go for a ride on this gorgeous day.
Bike 00:42:47 Bike Rank 593 (Top 16%) MPH 17.3
Not bad considering miles 6-10 were uphill into a strong wind. I immediately started to wonder if I was in a race or just out for a leisurely ride, since most athletes were just casually pedaling along. I was glad to get passed a few times because it reminded me I could go fast, too if I wanted. I passed a lot of people, cheering them on as I passed. I felt fast and confident and proud as the mile markers flew by. Thanks Brent and Ben from my group ride a few weeks earlier, for teaching me how to “spin” and ride in an easier gear to save energy and keep a steady pace.
Trans2 00:02:28
I don’t know why it took me 2 and a half minutes to take off my bike helmet and grab a shot block. Maybe it was my hesitation as I passed the port-o-pots wondering if I should stop and relieve my bulging bladder. I didn’t stop but maybe my run would have been faster if I did.
Run 00:29:12 Run Rank 862 (Top 23%) Pace 00:09:25
The run was hard because I seriously felt like I was the only person out running that day and sort of lost track of the fact that I was in a race. There were tons of spectators strolling along the running path and barely another athlete in sight. Where was everyone? Didn’t I start this race with about 300 other women? It was almost mile 3 before I came across a few other runners. My run felt slow and I was starting to feel tired, but when I heard I only had a half mile left I thought “This is great. I am going to finish strong. I still feel pretty good.” As I approached the home stretch, there was my cheering section once again and the sound of their voices sent me bolting towards the finish.
This was one of my favorite parts of the race. As I dashed past the crowd of spectators, I heard the announcer say something like “Woah! This one really turned it on….[who is this number 189?]. As I crossed the finish line I heard “And that was Jennifer Rebarchik!" Yes it was. Proud and strong and giddy with excitement, ready to go again.
Half IronMan. I think you're next.
p.s. (visit again soon for photos)
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Pot holes
I am still feeling the effects of our miserable winter in the form of pot holes. I've had 3 flat tires on my bike in 2 days, 2 in one ride! Grrr..... Maybe this means I am supposed to actually learn how to change a flat myself. Or maybe it just means I need to get more practice batting my eyelashes and bribing guys to "help me" do it. They seem to enjoy it so really I'm doing them a favor too right?
Everyone please say a little prayer that this tube holds out until at least July 14th! I really don't want to change another one before the race (and certainly not during!!)
Everyone please say a little prayer that this tube holds out until at least July 14th! I really don't want to change another one before the race (and certainly not during!!)
Saturday, June 28, 2008
I heart Olympic athletes
I went for a bike ride with an Olympic athlete this morning. He won a silver medal for cycling in 1984 and since then has been a top competitive rider nationally and internationally. He taught me in 2 hours what it would have taken me 3 years to learn on my own. In one ride, he turned me from a novice to an intermediate rider and sent my confidence through the roof. I rode 26 miles at a fast 19 mph with Brent and 3 other competitive male bikers. (The other woman in our 7am group dropped out after the first mile). I hung in the entire ride! Who would've thought when I bought my bike 2 years ago that one day I'd be trained (for free!) by one of the top competitive bicyclists in the world! Granted, he did have to push me up a couple of hilly spots as he rode beside me, and taught me to draft so I could get "pulled along" at times....but still my feet, my legs, my lungs, and my mind carried me through that ride. What a great morning.
This is how I met Brent Emery. A couple of months ago some friends advised that I find a triathlon store as a way to meet other athletes and shop for triathlon gear. I didn't know such stores even existed, but when I finally started doing some research, I realized there was a Triathlon shop just a mile from my house! I drove by Emery's most days for the past 3 years but had never gone inside until sometime early this May. The first time I went in, the workers were very friendly and excited to get to know me and my triathlon goals. One of the men, who seemed to be in charge, suggested I bring cookies as a bribe (it sounded like a good idea because chances were this not-so-handy girl would need some help with her bike at some point.).
I went to a bike maintenance clinic a couple weeks later to learn how to change a flat. It was way more complicated than I expected, especially with my skinny road tires. I was instructed to go home and practice right after the clinic but I never did. So when i got a flat this week, I decided I better take it in to get fixed and maybe I could find someone to show me/help me. On Thursday I went in to the shop with leftover pizza and bribed them to fix a flat for me even though they were about to close. I hadn't seen such big smiles and bright eyes all week! Apparently pizza is the way to a bicyclist's heart. I chatted with the guys for a bit and finally asked about the group bike rides I had read about on their website. I'd been wanting group practice but had been too chicken to show up for one of the rides. The store owner, Brent Emery, told me they usually ride about 40 miles at 20 mph. I told him I didn't think I could ride that far or that fast and that my average speed riding alone is around 16 mph. He told me I was "on the bubble" but I should come anyway and they'd help me through. He said they hated dropping riders and would do whatever it took to keep me as part of the ride.
So I went to bed early last night and showed up for this morning for what ended up being perhaps the most exciting bike ride of my life thus far. (Well maybe second to the infamous 20+ mile mountain bike ride in Lake Tahoe back in 2002.) But definitely the most exciting road ride. What a thrill to have Brent Emery (and another young, strong, competitive cyclist) teaching me how to improve my ride. July 13th...I am so ready to kick your butt!!
This is how I met Brent Emery. A couple of months ago some friends advised that I find a triathlon store as a way to meet other athletes and shop for triathlon gear. I didn't know such stores even existed, but when I finally started doing some research, I realized there was a Triathlon shop just a mile from my house! I drove by Emery's most days for the past 3 years but had never gone inside until sometime early this May. The first time I went in, the workers were very friendly and excited to get to know me and my triathlon goals. One of the men, who seemed to be in charge, suggested I bring cookies as a bribe (it sounded like a good idea because chances were this not-so-handy girl would need some help with her bike at some point.).
I went to a bike maintenance clinic a couple weeks later to learn how to change a flat. It was way more complicated than I expected, especially with my skinny road tires. I was instructed to go home and practice right after the clinic but I never did. So when i got a flat this week, I decided I better take it in to get fixed and maybe I could find someone to show me/help me. On Thursday I went in to the shop with leftover pizza and bribed them to fix a flat for me even though they were about to close. I hadn't seen such big smiles and bright eyes all week! Apparently pizza is the way to a bicyclist's heart. I chatted with the guys for a bit and finally asked about the group bike rides I had read about on their website. I'd been wanting group practice but had been too chicken to show up for one of the rides. The store owner, Brent Emery, told me they usually ride about 40 miles at 20 mph. I told him I didn't think I could ride that far or that fast and that my average speed riding alone is around 16 mph. He told me I was "on the bubble" but I should come anyway and they'd help me through. He said they hated dropping riders and would do whatever it took to keep me as part of the ride.
So I went to bed early last night and showed up for this morning for what ended up being perhaps the most exciting bike ride of my life thus far. (Well maybe second to the infamous 20+ mile mountain bike ride in Lake Tahoe back in 2002.) But definitely the most exciting road ride. What a thrill to have Brent Emery (and another young, strong, competitive cyclist) teaching me how to improve my ride. July 13th...I am so ready to kick your butt!!
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Reach
Only 18 days left until my race. I have started to wonder what it would take to keep me from finishing. I was riding my bike yesterday in pretty heavy traffic wondering what would happen if I got hit. How badly would I be hurt? Could I die? Could I still do the race with cuts, deep bruising, a sprain, a broken bone? I am more determined than ever to swim, bike, and run my best race on July 13. I've already overcome a car accident and a virus throughout my training, so 18 more days...I think I'm in the clear.
I hired a personal trainer a couple of weeks ago to help me with my swimming. I am getting better but still not completely confident about my stroke, comfort in the water, and endurance. I've had 2 open water practices. The one with the wet suit went great! And I am going tomorrow to reserve one for race day. My practice without the wet suit was not good. I panicked in the deep lake water, had water in my goggles, couldn't see, swam really crooked, and got really tired. BUT, I finished! Ugly as it was, I did it.
A week ago tonight I actually completed a mini-triathlon! I finished the swim 3rd from last in our group of about 20 and later found out one woman panicked immediately and didn't even do it. So despite my swim being really ugly, I did it, and in surprisingly good time. I swam about a quarter of the race length. I will be much more relaxed with a wet suit and if I can do a quarter of the length without one, I can definitely do the entire distance with one. They don't allow them if the water is warmer than 80 degrees and it was in the low 70s last week, so let's hope it doesn't warm up too much more! But the wet suit is a fantastic thing for a new swimmer...it's like wearing a giant floatie (I can't believe they allow them for the race...it feels like cheating) and swimming is almost effortless in one.
After the swim, I transitioned to my bike and set out for my ride. At first I was just riding along casually and comfortably, enjoying the lake view and the cool night. But suddenly it occurred to me that I could ride faster than this. And this was a race. So i should be riding faster. So I turned it on and passed almost everyone- all but a handful of the best swimmers who still had a pretty good lead. I biked about 9 miles (3/4 of the race length) then transitioned to my run. It was a good transition and I set out with another woman but immediately set a faster pace than her. The run felt good. It was wonderful to feel my feet on the ground and to still have energy left to propel my body forward. And I was able to keep my heart rate at a comfortable level in the 150s. I ran about 2 miles (2/3 of the real race length).
So I am officially a triathlete now and it was good to practice all three sports in a group. I am so excited to run my best race on July 13 and be a part of a group of 4,000 female triathletes, each with her own story and reason for racing.
I'm working on finding an "at bat" song. So far I'm thinking "Reach" by Gloria Estefan (Song from the Olympics) or "Beautiful Day" by U2.
Ooh, and tonight I discovered that chunking my 750 meter (1/2 mile) swim into seven 100 meter chunks plus a little 50 at the end will probably be my strategy on race day. During practice tonight I took 60 breaths/100 meters, and thinking of it as a 450 breath race feels more manageable to me than thinking of it as "swimming across a lake" or "swimming a half mile." And as I improve my stroke over the next couple of weeks, that number of breaths will probably go down significantly.
I am a triathlete
I swim.
I bike.
I run.
I hired a personal trainer a couple of weeks ago to help me with my swimming. I am getting better but still not completely confident about my stroke, comfort in the water, and endurance. I've had 2 open water practices. The one with the wet suit went great! And I am going tomorrow to reserve one for race day. My practice without the wet suit was not good. I panicked in the deep lake water, had water in my goggles, couldn't see, swam really crooked, and got really tired. BUT, I finished! Ugly as it was, I did it.
A week ago tonight I actually completed a mini-triathlon! I finished the swim 3rd from last in our group of about 20 and later found out one woman panicked immediately and didn't even do it. So despite my swim being really ugly, I did it, and in surprisingly good time. I swam about a quarter of the race length. I will be much more relaxed with a wet suit and if I can do a quarter of the length without one, I can definitely do the entire distance with one. They don't allow them if the water is warmer than 80 degrees and it was in the low 70s last week, so let's hope it doesn't warm up too much more! But the wet suit is a fantastic thing for a new swimmer...it's like wearing a giant floatie (I can't believe they allow them for the race...it feels like cheating) and swimming is almost effortless in one.
After the swim, I transitioned to my bike and set out for my ride. At first I was just riding along casually and comfortably, enjoying the lake view and the cool night. But suddenly it occurred to me that I could ride faster than this. And this was a race. So i should be riding faster. So I turned it on and passed almost everyone- all but a handful of the best swimmers who still had a pretty good lead. I biked about 9 miles (3/4 of the race length) then transitioned to my run. It was a good transition and I set out with another woman but immediately set a faster pace than her. The run felt good. It was wonderful to feel my feet on the ground and to still have energy left to propel my body forward. And I was able to keep my heart rate at a comfortable level in the 150s. I ran about 2 miles (2/3 of the real race length).
So I am officially a triathlete now and it was good to practice all three sports in a group. I am so excited to run my best race on July 13 and be a part of a group of 4,000 female triathletes, each with her own story and reason for racing.
I'm working on finding an "at bat" song. So far I'm thinking "Reach" by Gloria Estefan (Song from the Olympics) or "Beautiful Day" by U2.
Ooh, and tonight I discovered that chunking my 750 meter (1/2 mile) swim into seven 100 meter chunks plus a little 50 at the end will probably be my strategy on race day. During practice tonight I took 60 breaths/100 meters, and thinking of it as a 450 breath race feels more manageable to me than thinking of it as "swimming across a lake" or "swimming a half mile." And as I improve my stroke over the next couple of weeks, that number of breaths will probably go down significantly.
I am a triathlete
I swim.
I bike.
I run.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Put me in a house in the woods
I took a new way home from Brookfield today, down Gebhardt Road. I wasn't even sure if it was a through street but once I got on it I didn't care. Because as I drove down Gebhardt Road, I realized this is the kind of place I would like to live. The houses are in the woods! Right here in Milwaukee (ish). As you drive along the street it feels as if you are driving through a narrow road in northern Wisconsin or Flagstaff through a reservation surrounded by towering pines in all directions. It was beautiful and so relaxing. The combination of this experience and sharing stories with my physical therapist earlier today about our past homes and experiences in Arizona, New Orleans and Colorado, made me miss the feeling of having passion for where I live. The northwest side of Milwaukee just isn't doing it for me.
Soooo, anyone wanna buy a house? That would be step 1, I suppose. Sell this house. The question is, what will move me from this contemplative stage to an action stage? I certainly got a couple of pushes today. Put me in a house in the woods. This is what I want.
Soooo, anyone wanna buy a house? That would be step 1, I suppose. Sell this house. The question is, what will move me from this contemplative stage to an action stage? I certainly got a couple of pushes today. Put me in a house in the woods. This is what I want.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Danskin 2008 Chicagoland Triathlon
I am an awesome swimmer.
I am an awesome cyclist.
I am an awesome runner.
I am a triathlete.
This will be my mantra for the next 11 weeks as I prepare for race day, July 13. I will swim a 1/2 mile in Lake Andrea.
Then I will Bike 12.4 miles. And then I will run 3.1 miles.
After spending the weekend with my IronFriends, Aleece and Ryan, I am ready to go! And a motivational talk from Sally Edwards tonight...well that just sealed the deal.
http://www.heartzones.com/about/bios/sally_edwards.php
I am an awesome cyclist.
I am an awesome runner.
I am a triathlete.
This will be my mantra for the next 11 weeks as I prepare for race day, July 13. I will swim a 1/2 mile in Lake Andrea.
Then I will Bike 12.4 miles. And then I will run 3.1 miles.
After spending the weekend with my IronFriends, Aleece and Ryan, I am ready to go! And a motivational talk from Sally Edwards tonight...well that just sealed the deal.
http://www.heartzones.com/about/bios/sally_edwards.php
Sunday, April 6, 2008
- Flagstaff, AZ, USA
- New Orleans, LA, USA
- Bruges, Belgium
- Sedona, AZ, USA
- Lake Tahoe, CA, USA
- Lihue, HI, USA
- London, England
- Mexico City, Mexico
- Denver, CO, USA
- Las Vegas, NV, USA
- Paris, France
- San Diego, CA, USA
- New York City, NY, USA
- Salt Lake City, UT, USA
- Create your own travel map or travel blog
- Visit TripAdvisor.com
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Sorrow and Joy
The chronic winter blues that I see and feel all around me, drew me to this passage in a book I haven't looked at in many years, The Prophet, by Kahlil Gibran.
Then a woman said, Speak to us of Joy and Sorrow.
And he answered:
Your joy is your sorrow unmasked.
And the selfsame well from which your laughter rises was oftentimes filled with your tears.
And how else can it be?
The deeper that sorrow carves into your being, the more joy you can contain.
Is not the cup that holds your wine the very cup that was burned in the potter’s oven?
And is not the lute that soothes your spirit, the very wood that was hollowed with knives?
When you are joyous, look deep into your heart and you shall find it is only that which has given you sorrow that is giving you joy.
When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight.
Some of you say, “Joy is greater than sorrow,” and others say, “Nay, sorrow is the greater.”
But I say unto you, they are inseparable.
Together they come, and when one sits alone with you at your board, remember that the other is asleep upon your bed.
Verily you are suspended like scales between your sorrow and your joy.
Only when you are empty are you at standstill and balanced.
When the treasure-keeper lifts you to weigh his gold and his silver, needs must your joy or your sorrow rise or fall.
Then a woman said, Speak to us of Joy and Sorrow.
And he answered:
Your joy is your sorrow unmasked.
And the selfsame well from which your laughter rises was oftentimes filled with your tears.
And how else can it be?
The deeper that sorrow carves into your being, the more joy you can contain.
Is not the cup that holds your wine the very cup that was burned in the potter’s oven?
And is not the lute that soothes your spirit, the very wood that was hollowed with knives?
When you are joyous, look deep into your heart and you shall find it is only that which has given you sorrow that is giving you joy.
When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight.
Some of you say, “Joy is greater than sorrow,” and others say, “Nay, sorrow is the greater.”
But I say unto you, they are inseparable.
Together they come, and when one sits alone with you at your board, remember that the other is asleep upon your bed.
Verily you are suspended like scales between your sorrow and your joy.
Only when you are empty are you at standstill and balanced.
When the treasure-keeper lifts you to weigh his gold and his silver, needs must your joy or your sorrow rise or fall.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Step, bump, step, bump bump...
I almost fell out of my chair laughing at this this morning.... and that is no easy task for a Wednesday morning at work.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=d-Op-rbE658
http://youtube.com/watch?v=d-Op-rbE658
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Is it still February?
How can the shortest month feel like the longest? How can it POSSIBLY STILL be February?And why do they have to give us an extra day in February of all months in leap years? How about an extra July day? And why isn't February 29th a holiday? Shouldn't this be a day off work??
How can we have sooo much winter left after all this winter we've already had? I want out. I'm tired of being cold and tense and indoors. I want to be outside cutting my grass, planting my garden, laying on the beach, walking Cosmo... anything but watching TV, mindlessly staring at my computer, or sitting on the couch for hours on end without moving a single muscle. Damn this winter. Dammit.
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Do you want a car wash?
That was the best question I was asked today. I am asked this question approximately every 9 days when I fill Civi with gas, but today the question made me laugh out loud.
I went to bed last night prepared to wake up early to allow myself time to shovel and drive safely to work on slick, snow-covered roads. I already knew of at least one coworker who did not plan to go to work today after hearing yesterday's forecasted blizzard and I'd heard of several others over the past week who were just waiting for this day to come so they too could have a day off. I was fearful that few people would show up for work and being the hyper-responsible team player I am, there was never any doubt that I would go to work today. I actually wanted to go to work. There is a certain sense of community that occurs on snowy days like today that doesn't come on any old winter Wisconsin day and I wanted to be a part of that.
I arrived at work a few minutes early, my slippery commute only taking 10 minutes longer than usual. As I walked down the hall to my office, I was surprised to see only one empty office. I felt proud of those who braved the storm and even arrived early. Our leadership team was appreciative, too, and demonstrated it with face-to-face "thank yous" and a pizza lunch. The CEO of our parent organization also treated us to free lunch in our café. Call me a Rebarchik, but I cashed in on both free meals, saving my café salad for dinner, since my pizza lunch was a bigger meal than I had planned to allow myself as I fasted in celebration of Ash Wednesday.
I correctly predicted the friendly sense of community at work today. A place that is usually tense and terse became a soft, kind, caring place. It's amazing how a winter storm can cause people to take pause and focus on taking care of ourselves and each other. All day long, people were checking in with each other regarding their safety driving to and from work. By 3pm, there were five of us who had developed a type of support group as we brainstormed safety plans for each of us for the rest of the night. I chose to stay a little late, hoping that would give the plows more time to do their work and I could catch the little hole in the storm so I wouldn't need to drive in white out conditions. As I hiked to my car through the foot of snow that covered our work parking lot, I passed a coworker who handed the work shovel to me so I could dig my car out as he went to thaw his frozen head indoors. I was able to get Civi out relatively easily, but another coworker was not as lucky. Watching two male egos banter over the best way to negotiate Katti's car our of the snowy parking lot made me chuckle. My favorite image of the day was that of these two men pushing her car across the lot, Little Miss Sunshine style.
I was surprised to hear how some folks had prepared for this storm...one colleague packed an overnight bag in case she got stuck at work (she decided to spend the night at a nearby hotel), another spent the night at a friend's house last night so she would be closer to work this morning to ensure she could come in. I decided these would be the kind of people who would do well in surviving hurricanes of the South and wildfires of the West. I don't know that I would do that well...I think I'm too lazy.
Ever since I became an honorary New Orleanian a year and a half ago, I have been trying to wrap my mind around what it must have been like to live through Hurricane Katrina. I have heard story after story, and tried my damnedest to truly and deeply empathize with storm victims. Although I think I've been successful at offering sincere care and concern, I have never really felt able to truly put myself in a survivor's shoes. Today was the worst winter day I can remember in my adult life. It snowed and blowed all day, the plows could not keep up, and the city ran out of salt. But despite everyone's anxiety and fear about battling the wintery roads, we all made it to and from work safely (well those of us who went), had access to friends and family, had lots of options for warm, safe shelter, had plenty of food (free food) on hand, and knew within a day or so, conditions would be nearly back to normal. I don't think there is anything that could happen here that would even give us a hint of what it is like to live through a major natural disaster.
Upon my return home from Florida last week, I decided I hated Wisconsin and started fantasizing about a way out. After today, I've had a change of heart. I do not hate Wisconsin, not even on the worst of winter days like today. I am grateful for winter days like these that bond people closer together. I am grateful for my coworkers that came to work today so the workload could be shared, grateful for the hot lunch I shared with my peers, grateful for the slow, careful drivers that shared the interstate with me during my drive home, grateful for the tracks their cars were making so my car had a path to follow and keep moving forward, and grateful for my brother-in-law who fed my dog and let him go potty on his way home from work so I didn't have to be plagued with worry and guilt trying to hurry home to care for him.
I recently heard about some interesting research which showed that contrary to popular belief that living in a warm, sunny place would make everything better, research shows that the happiest people on earth live in some of the coldest places in the world (Denmark, Switzerland, Austria). Shocking! I suppose it's because we have to figuratively and literally huddle together to stay warm and closeness feels good and brings happiness? And I'm certain the Alps help the Swiss stay happy.
My answer is yes. I do want a car wash.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Is it my job or my computer giving me ADD?
I am flying to Jacksonville tomorrow for a business trip. I haven't packed yet. I've been anxious all day about not being prepared for this trip. So rather than prepare, I'm procrastinating. I started folding laundry, washing dishes, loading music onto my computer (most of which is making ITunes non-responsive which is frustrating me), visiting Facebook and other blogs, talking on the phone, wondering if McCain or Romney is winning Florida and trying to figure out how delegates are determined, thinking about the party I am hosting on Saturday and everything I'd like to get ready for that...all the while feeling anxious about not being packed or prepared for my trip and thinking how much better I would feel if I would just pack and prepare.
So what is my problem? What keeps me from "just doing it?" This was one of my New Year's resolutions after all. I mostly blame my job (well its probably an additive effect of genetics plus my job). I spend 8+ hours a day multi-tasking... in any given moment you will find me reading and writing emails, reviewing client and supervisory records, organizing papers on my desk, updating my calendar, talking on the phone, and communicating with the coworker at my door using non-verbals all at the same time! And this seems to be the only way to get everything done. Is this what jobs demand nowadays? If I took one task at at time I don't think I'd ever get to leave work and I would probably get fired for my lack of "responsiveness."
It has become nearly impossible for me to focus my attention on one task at a time from start to finish without doing a dozen other things in between. I think computers also add to my inattentiveness. I am constantly overwhelmed by the possibilities of these little machines. What websites should I visit? Should I job hunt or take silly movie challenges on Facebook? Should I organize my music library or maybe my photos? Should I learn what all those extra icons are for? Should I actually back up my computer onto that external drive I bought 2 months ago?
I went to the gym after work, thinking that would help me burn off some anxiety and help me focus. I biked 12 miles in 33 minutes. (Really? Well that's what the bike told me, but that just doesn't seem right. I thought it took me more like 45 minutes to bike 12 miles. I wasn't going THAT fast...anyway). It didn't work. Still anxious.
I have lost my ability to focus and am continually overwhelmed by indecision over all the possible ways to spend my time that time somehow finds a way to just pass me by and I can hardly explain what I've been doing.
So as I sit here wasting more time, a stack of CDs on one side and a pile of work on the other, I wonder when I will finish packing. Will it even be tonight? Or will I put it off until 8:30am tomorrow, since after all, I don't need to leave for the airport until 9:15...
Friday, January 11, 2008
Tri-fit
A few months ago I was talking to a girlfriend of mine who is married, 33 years old, and never ever ever wanted children. But her sister had a baby about a year ago and something about holding that little girl made her hormones do flips and somersaults and triple toe loops. My friend has decided maybe, just maybe, she would like to have a baby. After all, she will be awfully lonely one day when her parents pass. She got to talking about how hard she works to stay in shape and one reason to not have a baby was to maintain her never-pregnant female body. Then she realized, "What is my body really doing for me, anyway?" I'm glad she's decided a pregnant body and post-pregnant body wouldn't really be so bad, and she got me thinking... what is my body doing for me and what am I doing for my body?
I know many mothers who look great after having kids. In fact, some of them drop below their pre-pregnancy weight with little effort other than breast feeding and look even better than pre-pregnancy because they have great bodies AND a motherly glow! I've always expected that my hips and butt will get huge with pregnancy then never quite be the same, but it was a risk I was and am willing to take. After all, what does my body really do for me?
Now that I find myself 30-something and unpregnified, I've decided rather than pouting about it, this year I will make the best use of my body possible. I hope to pregnify it one day, but until then, why not enjoy and use what God gave me. I've always been active, but I recently joined a gym and I've been going most days. I broke a new 5K record today, 29 minutes 45 seconds. For those of you who run, you're probably saying "Uh, that broke a record?" Well it was my record, and I broke it, and I'm proud. I actually cut 30 seconds off of my Tuesday time so I think I am on my way to smashing way beyond my meager running goals in no time at all.
I have a friend who is urging me to do a triathalon with her this year. For both of us, it would be our first.
Running...check.
Biking...check.
Swimming....brrr, ick, water in my nose, panic in the water, I can't see!, fatigue, shortness of breath, brrrr, goose bumps, swimming lessons when I was just a little chid barely making it into the pool and spending most of the class shivering and never ever putting my face in the water, collapsing with fatigue after a 10 minute high school swim in gym class, funny smells, falling off the end of the "train" with my sisters into the deep end of a hotel pool, panic!, falling into the Black River and being nearly swept away by the rapid current (thanks Kristin and Joey), I can't see!, its too cold! Blech.
So here is my challenge: Learn to swim. Just get over it.
Which resolutions can I apply here? Breathe more deeply. Engage. Worry less/stop complicating things. Why couldn't I be a tri-athlete? Why couldn't I learn to swim? Why couldn't I get my body into the best shape its ever been in? Why not work out, eat well, look good, feel good? What else do I have to do, anyway?
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
New Year's has always been one of my favorite holidays. Although New Year's Eve celebrations have been hit or miss, (mostly hits) I love it anyway. I love the symbolism in the change of the calendar year; a logical time to reflect on the year's accomplishments and disappointments, successes and failures, lessons learned and lessons yet to be learned. And a chance to start anew. It excites and energizes me. Though there certainly were some good times, I was ready to put 2007 to rest, much as I was 2006, and I am certain 2008 will bring many new friends, experiences, and wisdom.
My 2008 resolutions, or Rebolutions as I am calling them this year, in no particular order:
1. Be still. (I just added this one today upon receiving my I Ching reading.)
2. Run. (No, this does not contradict number 1. And I am intentionally being non-specific. I'd like to run competitively, but the goal is just to run, in general, as much as I can, and as fast as I can.)
3. Be on time. Even early sometimes. Stop telling myself a few minutes late is still on time.
4. Engage. Fully. In the moment. Pay attention. Be alert.
5. Read more. More everything!
6. Breathe more deeply.
7. Be decisive/worry less/stop complicating things. Order more quickly. Procrastinate less, especially at work. Okay, and and home.
8. OHIO - Keep papers organized and filed/recycled/shredded at home.
9. Be greener.
10. Leave a light on. (As long as it is an energy star compact fluorescent light).
Happy New Year everyone! May 2008 be full of love, laughter, and learning.
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