Now that Dad is through "bishoping", we can play with our new toy!!!
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Thursday, July 16, 2009
the verdict
So the verdict is in........ it looks like I will be the only girl in the family... I will be the queen dictator....OK not really, but maybe really
Sunday, July 05, 2009
My First Tri
A couple of weeks ago, I did my first triathlon: the “Tri-It in Spanish” super sprint triathlon.
Pre-Race
The night before the race, Jenn got home from girls camp at about midnight and I was up waiting for her walking around in my ‘tri’ shorts hoping Louis Garnier was a triathlete of sorts because his name was written on the spandex along my thigh. My alarm rang at 4:45 Saturday morning and my first thought was “wow, this is early in the morning.” My second thought was, “wait, this is the time my alarm has gone off for the last nine months.” And then I remembered I would be teaching seminary for another year and cried inside for the next 3 hours.
Race start time was 8 am. We arrived at about 6:45 so I could get my timing chip, get my bike inspected and set up my transition area. I also had to get my bicep marked with my number and my calf marked with my age, both of which I flexed. As I took my bike through the transition area to find an open space, I couldn’t help but notice the different kinds of equipment the triathletes had. It was slightly intimidating. After I set out my transition area (thank you youtube), I noticed everyone fiddling with thing-a-majigs, making adjustments to what’s-it-called, and generally breathing deep. As for me, I squeezed my tires with my fingers, dusted off the seat a couple of times and wondered where I was supposed to apply the free sample of body glide I held in my right hand.
Swim – 300 meters
Because the swim course was small (in a private ski lake) we went off the dock individually – about every 3 seconds. Obviously I knew going in that the swim would be the best leg of the race for me. I passed a bunch of people and swam over a group of girls swimming four-wide. I think they were upset after that. I was nice though and didn’t kick them in the face as I went by. Unfortunately, my individual times were not recorded – only start and end time. There were a few of us that the split times didn’t show up right (only the run – 8:05 minute miles). Oh well. Because of the very little rain, the water had sunk to lower levels than Jon and Kate Plus Eight and I struggled a little as I made my way onto the boat ramp due to the shifting mud. At the transition, the mud stuck like clay to the bottom of my feet and after picking off most of it, I was off on the bike.
Bike - 12 miles
The good news was that I had, as my steel stallion, the original “silver bullet” Centurion 1985(?) edition. I was hoping that the bike would channel triathlon chi through my body like Dr. Pepper on Fast Sunday. Unfortunately, even the bike’s nostalgic powers couldn’t help a cycling novice like myself.
Overall the first transition went smoothly. I got the clips in without too much difficulty. I didn’t know how the bike would go so I took it pretty easy – I think a little too easy. I think it was about 12 miles and I definitely had enough in me at the end to go harder on the bike. I also finally applied the sample of body glide (not during - that would have been dangerous and probably would have broken local decency laws). Just thought you should know. Bottom line was I passed more people than passed me. Of course, most of them were riding mountain bikes or had flats on the side of the road.
Run – 2 miles
As I pulled into the second transition, I made an executive decision to go sockless on the run. My feet were still caked with clay from transitioning from swim to bike and I didn’t feel like shaking them out. Besides, the run was only two miles. I was able to pass most of the folks that passed me on the bike. It was mega-hot outside and at about the 1-mile mark I reached out for what I thought was cold water and instead got warm sports drink. It made my stomach grumble and gurgle. Naturally I thought of Revelation 3:16. I crossed the finish line pretty strong but about 10 seconds later I threw up five times in succession. It was probably due to overexertion. It’s weird that I don’t feel it though until after I stop exercising.
The night before the race, Jenn got home from girls camp at about midnight and I was up waiting for her walking around in my ‘tri’ shorts hoping Louis Garnier was a triathlete of sorts because his name was written on the spandex along my thigh. My alarm rang at 4:45 Saturday morning and my first thought was “wow, this is early in the morning.” My second thought was, “wait, this is the time my alarm has gone off for the last nine months.” And then I remembered I would be teaching seminary for another year and cried inside for the next 3 hours.
Race start time was 8 am. We arrived at about 6:45 so I could get my timing chip, get my bike inspected and set up my transition area. I also had to get my bicep marked with my number and my calf marked with my age, both of which I flexed. As I took my bike through the transition area to find an open space, I couldn’t help but notice the different kinds of equipment the triathletes had. It was slightly intimidating. After I set out my transition area (thank you youtube), I noticed everyone fiddling with thing-a-majigs, making adjustments to what’s-it-called, and generally breathing deep. As for me, I squeezed my tires with my fingers, dusted off the seat a couple of times and wondered where I was supposed to apply the free sample of body glide I held in my right hand.
Swim – 300 meters
Because the swim course was small (in a private ski lake) we went off the dock individually – about every 3 seconds. Obviously I knew going in that the swim would be the best leg of the race for me. I passed a bunch of people and swam over a group of girls swimming four-wide. I think they were upset after that. I was nice though and didn’t kick them in the face as I went by. Unfortunately, my individual times were not recorded – only start and end time. There were a few of us that the split times didn’t show up right (only the run – 8:05 minute miles). Oh well. Because of the very little rain, the water had sunk to lower levels than Jon and Kate Plus Eight and I struggled a little as I made my way onto the boat ramp due to the shifting mud. At the transition, the mud stuck like clay to the bottom of my feet and after picking off most of it, I was off on the bike.
Bike - 12 miles
The good news was that I had, as my steel stallion, the original “silver bullet” Centurion 1985(?) edition. I was hoping that the bike would channel triathlon chi through my body like Dr. Pepper on Fast Sunday. Unfortunately, even the bike’s nostalgic powers couldn’t help a cycling novice like myself.
Overall the first transition went smoothly. I got the clips in without too much difficulty. I didn’t know how the bike would go so I took it pretty easy – I think a little too easy. I think it was about 12 miles and I definitely had enough in me at the end to go harder on the bike. I also finally applied the sample of body glide (not during - that would have been dangerous and probably would have broken local decency laws). Just thought you should know. Bottom line was I passed more people than passed me. Of course, most of them were riding mountain bikes or had flats on the side of the road.
Run – 2 miles
As I pulled into the second transition, I made an executive decision to go sockless on the run. My feet were still caked with clay from transitioning from swim to bike and I didn’t feel like shaking them out. Besides, the run was only two miles. I was able to pass most of the folks that passed me on the bike. It was mega-hot outside and at about the 1-mile mark I reached out for what I thought was cold water and instead got warm sports drink. It made my stomach grumble and gurgle. Naturally I thought of Revelation 3:16. I crossed the finish line pretty strong but about 10 seconds later I threw up five times in succession. It was probably due to overexertion. It’s weird that I don’t feel it though until after I stop exercising.
Anyway, It was a fun. I came in 79th overall and 13 out of 27 in my age group. Can’t wait to do one in September.
Saturday, July 04, 2009
Raccoon Ruckkus
We had been hearing a rustling sound downstairs in the work room. It was a little unnerving, but after a couple of days we didn't hear anything. So move to Thursday evening. Dad went down to get something in the freezer. He turned on the light, walked around the corner and saw two raccoons racing on the top of the food storage boxes. Apparently, they were trying to hide. Well, they didn't do a very good job of it. When Jim got back upstairs, he said, "If I tell you something, would you promise to not freak out?" Okay, was my response. "Well, he said, "I just saw two raccoons run for their life." I didn't hold to my promise. We immediately got on the phone to try to get ahold of animal control. This was at 9:30 p.m. Well, no answer. Can you believe that!!! So I looked in the yellow pages and found Critter Control. Caleb answered. We explained the problem and he said he would be out in the morning. So we barricaded the top of the stairs, shut all the doors to the downstairs rooms and tried to sleep. Then Jim went merrily off to work and I stayed home - never venturing downstairs. Caleb came about 10:30, assessed the situation, and said we probably have a momma and a few babies. Great!!!! He even showed me hole where they were coming through. Of course, I didn't see anything. Caleb set a trap on the roof, showed me how to see if the trap had been sprung, and said to call him in the morning. Because raccoons are nocturnal, nothing would probably happen until the nocturnal came. Jim came home for lunch, I appraised him of the problem and showed him the hole where the critters had been living. Of course, now I saw a bunch of fur pulsating. I was a nervouse wreck all afternoon. We decided to go to the movies on Friday night to get away. We got home about 10:00 and as I passed the stairs, there they were - three big babies running up the stairs. I ran and Jim grabbed the broom. The babies run the other way back into their hiding place. Well, I tried to sleep last night, worried about having to go to the bathroom, and hoping they didn't jump the barricade. It was a horrible night - weird dreams. Along with worrying about the raccoons, I shouldn't have eaten Taco Bell at a quarter to ten. Anyhoo, Caleb showed up this morning and yes, the momma was caught in the trap. He carried it down from off the roof in the cage. Then it stuck a big brush down the chimney to push the babies down to the basement. Then he and Jim went downstairs to capture the babies. I heard growling, snarling, crying and that was just Jim. No, just kidding. Anyhoo, they caught them all and took them away. They will come back later on today and put caps on the chimney. Now Jim is cleaning up the mess in the work room where they were playing and pooping and probably watching TV. Needless to say, it was quite an ordeal. I for one, am glad there are people out there who, when they are young, say, "I want to grow up to be a Critter Controller!!" My hat is off to them. And may I say as a P.S. I already had empathy for Carole, but much more now.
Thursday, July 02, 2009
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