Four hours of sleep seems to be my limit right now. And getting to sleep is a little like trying to sneeze, when someone says "bless you," when they see that particular expression on your face that says, 'I am about to sneeze.' It flits, it floats, it fleetly flees, it flies. It sucks. At 3:30am, I finally took a pain killer-my placebo for sleeping pills.
Around 8 am, I awoke with a dream that I was in an amazing bicycle race that transcended time. At times I was in the 1930's, others I was in the present. Little Red was my bike through it all. I woke when I couldn't get Little Red off a descending elevator in an art deco skyscraper (where I'd had to ride the elevator to the top floor to have my photo taken with my bicycle--my outfit was very Amelia Earhart-esque) after another contestant pushed all the buttons to try to slow me. The doors would open at each floor, but the elevator only paused and dropped between levels. In frustration, I awoke and started my day.
JE's Birthday. We have a tradition in our family that we make breakfast in bed for each other, to celebrate birthdays. While JE slept, I made fresh squeezed orange juice (from oranges I picked myself), homemade waffles with maple syrup, Canadian bacon and poached eggs. Somehow, I seem to have surprised him.
This afternoon, JE wanted to go to the OC fair. So much fun. My favorite thing there is always the animals and the gardens, the crafts (particularly the woodworking, it inspires me) and the collections. The collections interest me because, I am always flabbergasted at what people collect! There was a shoebox filled with used staples--as in little shards of metal picked out of paper and tossed in a shoebox for safe keeping. Why!?! Other things are really cool, like the vintage kitchen tools and the Steve McQueen clothing.
Plan for the week:
Monday
AM: run, speed
PM: swim, recovery
Caprese chicken pasta salad
Tuesday AM: bike, long
Sets
Dinner: fresh tomato soup and cheesy bread
Wednesday AM: run, recovery
PM: swim, speed
Dinner: Chipotle
Thursday AM: Sets
Dinner: on the road to Zion
Friday: bucket-list fulfillment of hiking Zion's Subway and dinner out to celebrate
Saturday: funeral for our friend's kid who was killed in a scout boating accident, then head home. Swim to shake off the car ride
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Day 303: Rhythm
Awesome, strong swim this morning. 2,500 yards. Not sure the time. Made some shifts and felt my core working, gliding. Pulling through my strong abdomen and lats, rather than just my arms. It makes for graceful elongated swim strokes and easy rotations in the turquoise water which on some days, matches my eyes. Almost effortless, until I stopped and realized how hard I was breathing, but still... That rhythm... Three strokes, breath. Three strokes, breath. Three strokes...
Recently, when I had an EKG, I got to see my heartbeat in 2D, stretched out long over a computer screen. My rhythm. Vibrant, steady, vital. It is mine, alone. Though I like to say I share my heart with my JE.
Sometimes, when I rest my head on his chest and tell him I can hear his heart, he asks what it is saying. I reply: 'Iris, Iris, Iris...' He'll cup the back of my head with his strong hand and draw me closer.
Recently, when I had an EKG, I got to see my heartbeat in 2D, stretched out long over a computer screen. My rhythm. Vibrant, steady, vital. It is mine, alone. Though I like to say I share my heart with my JE.
Sometimes, when I rest my head on his chest and tell him I can hear his heart, he asks what it is saying. I reply: 'Iris, Iris, Iris...' He'll cup the back of my head with his strong hand and draw me closer.
Friday, July 29, 2011
Day 302:
Busy day, from the moment I woke up to just now, I have been in motion. Swantje handed me a couple huge sewing projects, this morning which need to be done Monday night. It's nice to have work, just crappy timing. When it rains, it pours.
No exercise today, and feeling it. I used to be fat and happy, now fat just feels uncomfortable. This coming week will require planning for training and meals. Headed to Zion Thursday to hike the Subway. Lots to do to prepare for that.
Thought for the day: Don't put your love in a box. Love is messy and gooey and should be spread liberally and unfettered. Love is like honey
No exercise today, and feeling it. I used to be fat and happy, now fat just feels uncomfortable. This coming week will require planning for training and meals. Headed to Zion Thursday to hike the Subway. Lots to do to prepare for that.
Thought for the day: Don't put your love in a box. Love is messy and gooey and should be spread liberally and unfettered. Love is like honey
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Day 301: Baking
My day started with an amazing ride around the back bay. Physicality is a sure cure for doldrums. Lately, my average speed has been in the low 13 point something miles per hour. Today, I added a bit of speed to the mix. My 24.5 miles took less than an hour and a half, at an average pace of 14.8 mph.
My arvo was spent baking birthday pie for JE. I am spent. Two pumpkin, two apple, and two peach (and an order of Zombie bars for a client). Baking is so much more physical than I realized before I attempted a baking business. It is so hard on my body: I stand for hours on tile flooring, move 50 pound bags of flour and sugar, work at a counter built for someone who is a foot shorter than I. By the end of the day my legs, feet, back, shoulders, and neck are tight and aching. That is one of the main reasons I gave up for now. Just the pain of baking. Who knew? It made me hate to do it. Keeping it small and for people I love, keeps me wanting to bake.
No running today. My right calf is still recovering from bundling itself in a tight little ball. But I miss my run, feel a bit lost without it.
My arvo was spent baking birthday pie for JE. I am spent. Two pumpkin, two apple, and two peach (and an order of Zombie bars for a client). Baking is so much more physical than I realized before I attempted a baking business. It is so hard on my body: I stand for hours on tile flooring, move 50 pound bags of flour and sugar, work at a counter built for someone who is a foot shorter than I. By the end of the day my legs, feet, back, shoulders, and neck are tight and aching. That is one of the main reasons I gave up for now. Just the pain of baking. Who knew? It made me hate to do it. Keeping it small and for people I love, keeps me wanting to bake.
No running today. My right calf is still recovering from bundling itself in a tight little ball. But I miss my run, feel a bit lost without it.
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Day 300(!!!): Dolce Vita
Tim and Debi, friends from church (Tim is also our mechanic) lived fairly close. They welcomed us to their home several times, and always invited us to travel with them and a small group of their friends. I never really took them seriously, thinking they were just being pleasant. Every year, they traveled with their family and/or friends to some amazing place. They especially loved cruises.
Today, I learned a lot about those two. Wish I had taken them seriously about traveling with them. Those two were so full of love and so willing to let people into their lives. They lived for their social lives, and were very genuinely loved and loving.
They were killed in a motorcycle accident a week and a half ago, and I helped with the family meal at the funeral today (Debi was always helping in the kitchen at church events, She was missed today). It was a sweet service, some laughter, lots of tears. The chapel was filled half way to the back of the full sized basketball court behind the chapel, usually separated by a partition.
I had a chance to review my life, which is a tiny bit of what I think funerals are about. Where am I in my hopes and desires for who I am and what I hope to be? Not at all where I want to be. As I was talking to my sister about this, she reminded me to look at the things I can do to correct it, not at those things where I feel I have failed. Forward moving, positive motion vs downward spiral. Gotta figure out how to wash off my people-repellant before I go to church.
Swimming can be a really reflective time for me, so I was a little apprehensive getting in the pool today. 48 laps, with 4/1 speed intervals. I did good; bested my best time by 2 seconds. I missed my speed laps at 28 and 32, blew right past them and thought I had somehow forwarded my chronometer. But reviewing that time slot showed my time in those spaces. I don't remember swimming it, lost in thought.
Today, I learned a lot about those two. Wish I had taken them seriously about traveling with them. Those two were so full of love and so willing to let people into their lives. They lived for their social lives, and were very genuinely loved and loving.
They were killed in a motorcycle accident a week and a half ago, and I helped with the family meal at the funeral today (Debi was always helping in the kitchen at church events, She was missed today). It was a sweet service, some laughter, lots of tears. The chapel was filled half way to the back of the full sized basketball court behind the chapel, usually separated by a partition.
I had a chance to review my life, which is a tiny bit of what I think funerals are about. Where am I in my hopes and desires for who I am and what I hope to be? Not at all where I want to be. As I was talking to my sister about this, she reminded me to look at the things I can do to correct it, not at those things where I feel I have failed. Forward moving, positive motion vs downward spiral. Gotta figure out how to wash off my people-repellant before I go to church.
Swimming can be a really reflective time for me, so I was a little apprehensive getting in the pool today. 48 laps, with 4/1 speed intervals. I did good; bested my best time by 2 seconds. I missed my speed laps at 28 and 32, blew right past them and thought I had somehow forwarded my chronometer. But reviewing that time slot showed my time in those spaces. I don't remember swimming it, lost in thought.
Day 299: Palace Verde
Last night, my calf was still in a tight little ball. Seeking to relieve this, I took a muscle relaxer and read while I waited for it to kick in. About half an hour later, I barely had time to put my book down, before I was taken over by a wave of complete unconscious bliss. Around ten, I finally started to wake up and discovered my JE was still in bed beside me. He wasn't feeling well, still.
Most of the morning, we lazed about. Finally around two, I was so anxious to get out of the house I could hardly stand myself.
We drove the 47 miles to Palace Verde, bicycles in tow. We set off down the road, enjoying the amazing views of the Great Pacific ocean that stretched out around us. It was a fun ride, and a bit of an adventure.
I only almost got killed once... Gold Mercedes decided that even though I had no safe shoulder or bike lane to ride in, nor enough road to safely share, I shouldn't take the lane (ride down the middle of the road, completely legal in such circumstances). JE said the bumper of the car sat 4 inches from my back tire. The guy in the car was blasting his horn at me for many, many seconds. I heard him, but I stayed my ground, completely ignoring him; as long as he was honking at me, he could see me. After I passed the median, before I could get back to the safe right of the lane, he passed me on my left, not a foot from me. Sometimes I wish people would just think--I am a person, a human being, and he had just threatened my life. I was riding there to be safe, there were plenty of reasons for me to be where I was. And then he had the nerve to flip me off. I think I need to start carrying rotten eggs...
JE swooped past me, in hot pursuit of the gold sedan. I didn't realize how bad the situation had been until I caught up and JE told me that he had been trying to catch up to the car so he could kick the guy's ass. Then he corrected himself and said that he would probably have killed him. (For those who do not know my JE, that is not part of his day to day vernacular--EVER. He is a very, very peaceful sort, unless compelled).
Adrenalin is a beautiful thing. After that incident, there were no hills on that very hilly road. Everything was effortless and easy. Such a green and sparkling place. It was fun to see JE on the road ahead of me, panniers on and everything. I think we may need to go touring together. He would probably love it.
We rode to Manhattan Beach pier, where we picnicked on homemade sandwiches and watched the tourists. Then headed back. We made it back to the car just at dark.
Roscoe's for dinner. Not so in love with that little ball of fatty-happiness, but I do love their greens and corn bread.
Nice to have a surprise adventure with my Honey.
Most of the morning, we lazed about. Finally around two, I was so anxious to get out of the house I could hardly stand myself.
We drove the 47 miles to Palace Verde, bicycles in tow. We set off down the road, enjoying the amazing views of the Great Pacific ocean that stretched out around us. It was a fun ride, and a bit of an adventure.
I only almost got killed once... Gold Mercedes decided that even though I had no safe shoulder or bike lane to ride in, nor enough road to safely share, I shouldn't take the lane (ride down the middle of the road, completely legal in such circumstances). JE said the bumper of the car sat 4 inches from my back tire. The guy in the car was blasting his horn at me for many, many seconds. I heard him, but I stayed my ground, completely ignoring him; as long as he was honking at me, he could see me. After I passed the median, before I could get back to the safe right of the lane, he passed me on my left, not a foot from me. Sometimes I wish people would just think--I am a person, a human being, and he had just threatened my life. I was riding there to be safe, there were plenty of reasons for me to be where I was. And then he had the nerve to flip me off. I think I need to start carrying rotten eggs...
JE swooped past me, in hot pursuit of the gold sedan. I didn't realize how bad the situation had been until I caught up and JE told me that he had been trying to catch up to the car so he could kick the guy's ass. Then he corrected himself and said that he would probably have killed him. (For those who do not know my JE, that is not part of his day to day vernacular--EVER. He is a very, very peaceful sort, unless compelled).
Adrenalin is a beautiful thing. After that incident, there were no hills on that very hilly road. Everything was effortless and easy. Such a green and sparkling place. It was fun to see JE on the road ahead of me, panniers on and everything. I think we may need to go touring together. He would probably love it.
We rode to Manhattan Beach pier, where we picnicked on homemade sandwiches and watched the tourists. Then headed back. We made it back to the car just at dark.
Roscoe's for dinner. Not so in love with that little ball of fatty-happiness, but I do love their greens and corn bread.
Nice to have a surprise adventure with my Honey.
Monday, July 25, 2011
Day 298: Blubber
Amanda E. went whale watching and posted some amazing photos of her trip. I did that a couple springs ago. We say a Superpod of dolphins and a bunch of other amazing things, including fin whales. So cool. That was before our trip to Korea, my tour and this, the deadest summer of them all.
I'm simply itching for an adventure, so ignore my melancholy. Hate it when I get like this.
Partially, I blame bad sleep, which I shall blame on bad chicken. Perhaps a touch of food poisoning in the night? Three AM and life wasn't happy, nor was it for the next 3 hours. When the alarm went off at 7, I felt like I had just barely fallen asleep.
As if to prove it could be blamed on the chicken, I ate the remaining portion of last night's dinner and discovered the exact same results. Should have listened to myself.
Drove with JE to work and went running up the trail, near there. About 3/4 a mile in, my right calf balled up so tight I had a tough time walking back. I debated continuing to run on it in an effort to get it to release, but that only proved more painful. So, my 4 mile run turned into a shortened walk. I did sweat a little.
And tonight's swim was also waylaid by a head-achy spouse. Tomorrow. In the mean time, I feel myself getting fat...
I'm simply itching for an adventure, so ignore my melancholy. Hate it when I get like this.
Partially, I blame bad sleep, which I shall blame on bad chicken. Perhaps a touch of food poisoning in the night? Three AM and life wasn't happy, nor was it for the next 3 hours. When the alarm went off at 7, I felt like I had just barely fallen asleep.
As if to prove it could be blamed on the chicken, I ate the remaining portion of last night's dinner and discovered the exact same results. Should have listened to myself.
Drove with JE to work and went running up the trail, near there. About 3/4 a mile in, my right calf balled up so tight I had a tough time walking back. I debated continuing to run on it in an effort to get it to release, but that only proved more painful. So, my 4 mile run turned into a shortened walk. I did sweat a little.
And tonight's swim was also waylaid by a head-achy spouse. Tomorrow. In the mean time, I feel myself getting fat...
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