I love funny...

Funny, to me, is being shoved into awkward situations that (if you had the guts to speak up) you should be able to avoid.

Case in point: BMI testing at Oz.









For us ladies, I probably don't have to go into detail. But I will because my ranting will make me feel better.

First of all, all I wanted was a membership to Oz so I could partake in the awesome workouts with fellow TriFusionites and not be afraid that the roof will fall on my head or that one of only 5 treadmills will work or that maybe I'll catch some funky disease from the carpeted bathroom floors at Global. What I forget is that these Oz people are all about UPSELL, UPSELL, UPSELL!! So why not try upselling me on the idea of a personal trainer by "making" me have my BMI done? I mean, what could be more motivating?


So I am led back to this small cubicle of a room (which hides nothing, by the way) to discuss my goals and what-not. Then Mr. Sam pulls out this green pincher looking thing...what the hell?! He explains where he needs to pinch (pinch?!) and that's when I realized I wasn't going to like the outcome of this
visit.











First my tri's...then my back...and then the dreaded love handle and my favorite, the bellybutton portion of the tire I love to lug around...yes, I even asked if this part was necessary. Then my tree trunk of a thigh...the best part though, is when he said, "Ok, now I need your chest."





"Um, what?"

"I mean, your calf."

Whew. That was close.

So after the torture was done, he seemed a wee bit unconcerned about the numbers. This makes me question the accuracy of this pinch test. I know the BMI calculators online are sketchy but how accurate can this pinch thing be?

So I really don't know where I'm at on this BMI thing. According to Weight Watchers, I'm obese...teehehee...that's dumb. But according to Mr. Sam, I'm average...which I chuckle at as well. So I took both percentages and averaged them out...this seemed to be more accurate in my mind as I don't see myself as "average" or "obese" but right in the middle of the two.

I'm ok with this...for now.



But! I'm now a member of our so coveted Oz Fitness!

Sunday Runday

I came up with this clever (or so I thought) name for my runs on Sundays...

SUNDAY RUNDAY.

Very original, I know.

I realized yesterday that sidewalks and shoulders are hard to come by these days. So I drove around for a bit looking for a new, clearer route to shuffle. Aubry L. Parkway from W. Rifle Club Rd to Bowl and Pitcher and back turned out to be the route, and what an awesome run! Sunny, gorgeous and little traffic...with other runners on the road to make it feel like I wasn't alone. Don't get me wrong though. I loved doing this one solo- sometimes you just gotta get out by yourself.

I decided also to try some tricks as suggested by Mike at the last Tri-Fusion meeting. The thoughts went like this:

Ok, shoulders relaxed, check

Where's my foot strike? I dunno, I can't tell. Feels like maybe a mid foot strike?...meh.

Arms at 90 degrees, check! Crap, now my shoulders are tense... ok relax shoulders

How's my torso rotation? Lets keep it to a minimum...oh wow! This makes my arms swing more! weird. Breathing is good!

Head up, slight lean forward...ok that feels silly...lets not do that right now. (it's about this time a car passes at such a slow pace that I begin to feel like a beast in a drive-thru zoo)

Look at my shadow for some sort of inaccurate form evaluation... ick. I look like a glorified speed walker...no wonder they tell you to keep your head up.

Now I know I'm heel striking. I must be getting tired. Arms still good, shoulders tense again (how does that happen?) Relax! Oh ROCK! (that was close)

Mike said something about ponytail bobbing...how the heck do you run without your ponytail bobbing?!! I'll just braid my hair.

Why do my pants always head south?!

stupid shoulders, knees and toes!

hinging a swips, soot triks, ponybobbers showhokddsts BLAH!

How about I just run?

I did.

And it was great.

Getting back into the swing of things...

The combination of the weather, my leaky ceiling, the holidays, and a last minute move due to the leaky ceiling has kicked me off my "usual" routine. Thankfully, I have Tri-Fusionistas to offer scheduled workouts to get me back on track. Thanks, guys! You saved me from turning into the likes of Eeyore and kept me more like Tigger!

Now, if I could just find a pool that won't strip me of all my moolah.



Also, thanks to Steve and the folks with the Brooks ID program, I will be sportin' some awesome apparel. Gosh, this sport gets better and better each year!

This is how I "Embrace It".

Holidays
+
Snow; beauty...yay!








Holidays
+
Snow which turns to ice and clogs the gutters of my apartment building and then starts melting and draining into my apartment instead; hell.

NOTE: These are not actual pictures of my place but they're pretty darn close!...and the smell...

Happy New Year! Ugh.

2009

It’s the 15th of December and I thought now would be a good time to think (or start thinking) of new years’ resolutions. Last year I had taken a hiatus from resolving anything except to remember the idea that I could resolve to do anything any time of the year. This thinking probably stems from the fact that I procrastinated and I had no idea what I should resolve to do until after the year had already started. So maybe my first should be to not procrastinate?

Nah.

I’ll deal with that one later.

“Resolutions lack the required preparation: Resolutions are usually made while thinking about what you would like to change, but forgetting to think about how you are going to go about that change.
Making changes requires preparation, work, patience, stamina and discipline to succeed. If you don't conduct the initial research and preparations on how you are going to make the resolution succeed, there is a very good chance you'll never achieve it. Most New Year's resolutions are simply statements or wishes made without any planning.“

That said, lets plan!

I’ve stolen the below resolutions. I like them because they aren’t your typical “lose-weight-save-money-be-nicer-to-your-family” resolutions. And while I’m at it, why don’t I change the word “resolution” to “reminder”?

These are my New Years' Reminders:

1. To feel grateful for what I have, to appreciate my blessings, instead of punishing myself by focusing on lack (physically, mentally, spiritually or materialistically)

2. To feel grateful for my present challenges, which give me the opportunity to grow into my greater potential to handle them. (Which is another way of saying “Embrace It”!)

3. Eat well, exercise sufficiently, get enough rest because when I feel my best, I do my best, and that produces the best results. (Don’t give up what you want most, for what you want at the moment! I really like this quote apparently)

4. Maintain neat, clean orderly environments because a cluttered space generates frustration and opposition. (A cluttered desk equals a cluttered mind. -Albert Einstein)

5. Remain vigilant of how I THINK about my situation, based on my understanding that I bring about what I think about. (Positive thinking)

Extra credit: I will review these resolutions regularly, post them where I can see them, and remain committed to putting them into practice little-by-little, day by day.

It took a fair amount of restraint to keep from mocking the whole idea of resolutions. I believe in the betterment of our selves but I don't necessarily agree with jumping on the once-a-year bandwagon of setting oneself up for failure....

Gotta love Calvin.

FOR THE LOVE....

OF RUNNING!

Roger needs to know he shouldn't videotape me running. I look like I'm on drugs.

Seriously. I never, ever, ever thought I'd ever say that I enjoyed running. I played volleyball and softball and was a cheerleader in high school all (in some part) because I hated running and those (aside from golf) were the best chances I had to avoid running and still be involved in something!

And how did this happen? Two women asked me if I'd like to try my first Triathlon 3 1/2 years ago.

Cheryl and Kathi...and my nearly 200 lb self with a white cap. If you didn't already know, I felt like a huge inflammed pimple...red with a whitehead. ick.

ValleyGirl 2005 was my first Tri ever. I had never done an open water swim, I had never ran 3+ consecutive miles (and I could only pull a 12 min. mile at best), and who the hell decides to ride their mountain bike 12+ miles when they've never gone more than 3? I thought I was fit "enough" to pull through it unscathed...ha...if I only knew then what I know now!

Now, I am surrounded by a great team that gives great opportunities for improvement and encourages me in every step of the way. I love it!

Turkey Trot 2008. I remember last year Steve gave me the compliment of keeping a good pace. Little did he know I was dying! This year? No near death experiences!

I think it's safe to say we're a really good-looking bunch!

A few of us with Kevin Longmeier in the middle. What a great day! Thanks, everyone!

Fall Fiasco 2008

Fall Fiasco is just that...a weekend of craziness!

High schoolers + mud and wetness= amazing times!

November 7-9th I was able to hang out with a few girls and guys from Medical Lake Younglife as well as the surrounding areas for our fall camp at Riverview Bible Camp. First, I love this place! It's gorgeous! Second, I love the chance to get "away" and be crazy with some of the coolest kids from our club. So here are some pictures, mostly from the girls' freetime on Saturday.

Girl talk before club

My partner in crime, Krista

Jaydra, Cassie and I

Part of our photo shoot...I really don't know

Our classy gentlemen...I don't know who the 3 dudes on the right are though...?

They treated us well with the grub! Here we have spaghetti, meatballs, salad, garlic bread and yummy strawberry shortcake!

Krista and I taking a break from the photo shoot

I wish this was in color! So pretty! The leaves were so bright...what a great weekend!