Random Ramblings...

• On: 09/16/2009 12:28:53

You know how you have all these blog thoughts in your head?  I have for a few days, but have not been able to sit down and write!  I wanted to spend the days talking to all my IM Wisconsin athletes and hear all the details of the day!  So, I am finally almost done with everyone and now I can sit down and get all my random thoughts out of my head.  Better on paper than in my head!

Ironman Wisconsin was a total blast to watch.  Truth be told, Jerome and I and the kids were up at 3.30am to drive to Madison so I could try to see everyone before the swim start.  I was at the water before 6am!  Bless Graham and Morgan’s hearts!  Sweet little spectators – they were troopers all day and trust me, the afternoon temps were 85F (which is hot for us) and with the help of Tracy and Ronalyn and their kids, we did a good job occupying them while Jerome and I kept track of everyone!  I love watching the IM up in Madison = it is like a little reunion of all the local athletes and we just knew so many of the athletes on the course.  Between my IPhone to keep track of everyone’s splits, we did a good job of seeing everyone out on the courses and most finish.  Thanks to Jerome who drove Miss Daisy around all day because I was trying to not only catch up with my IM WI athletes but take the calls and texts from my other athletes that were racing other races.  And, he also drove my sorry self home – kids sound asleep and me still on the phone.  He was a saint!   Congrats to all the IM finishers – ENJOY the R&R!

A few days before the IM a group of neighbor friends and I TPd the 2 houses of the local neighborhood girls that I coached who were doing IM WI – we had SO much fun.  We made signs, got balloons and TPd their houses the night before they left for WI.  Karen, one of the girls, not only finished her first IM but also lost 40+ lbs in the process!  AMAZING really!  I had her do her nutrition work with Beth Shutt and it all paid off for her all year – a great inspiring first-timer story! 

Today is September 16^th and the 1 year anniversary of the huge accident I was in last year on this day.  How awful.  Of course, I have NO residual injuries or pain from that and all is fine, but I still get the sweats at that intersection – and the entire intersection has been changed with turn signals and all of that.  I don’t think I would have remembered it was even today but I drove to that Target last night to grocery shop while Graham was at soccer and I got the goosebumps & remembered OH RIGHT!!

Jerome is in China for nearly 2 weeks.  NOT a huge deal…I am used to doing everything with the kids and managing it all – but I do find myself talking to myself at night….and the weekend is never fun with out Jerome around…but it is only 2 weeks, not even!  He was so great about it and scheduled this huge trip when the kids were back in school, so it would not be that big of a deal! 

Now that all the IM WI folks and most athletes here in this area are DONE with their training, I am flying solo.  UGH.  And, ironically, this is the nicest weather we have had all year!  I still want to swim Open water thru Clearwater in November…well, as long as I can….!  But I have no partners in crime!  Jerome is great and will go with me and either watch me or swim with me…but…this week and next week I have been looking for takers!  I have gotten back into the pool more regularly, but when I got in last week (in all fairness it was only 4 days after my ½ IM) I was SLOW.  And, the times were way off…so, I do need to migrate back to the pool more instead of the OW to get some speed back…but I will fight it as long as I can!  Masters starts next weekend  - oh thank god.

Yesterday I posted an update on my FB page about hating to say no to good opportunites.  You know, I have perfected how to say NO.  I say NO all the time….we all have to….to prioritize and keep sane and balanced.  But, the other night I got a phone call from Jerry McNeil and Trudy from the Best of the US series and no one from Illinois took the BOUS slot from the q-fying race in July.  I had not done the race this year – BOUS was not a goal of mine this year as I am focusing on ½ IMs….so, I was delighted to get the call…only to realize that I cannot turn around a California trip in 10 days and race!  I am in the midst of a build for November…and to just “show up” and fake it thru the Best of the US….ha!  That won’t fly plus Jerome will be in China and well….I can’t swing it with the kiddos and travel and planning.  It makes me tired just thinking of it. But, I did HATE saying NO.  After I raced Best of the US in 2007, I promised I would go back….but, not this year.   Boo hoo!    It is a great race and if you ever have the opportunity to q-fy and race BOUS, do it!

Yesterday I pulled a “Jenny.”  Haha.  I had dropped Graham off at soccer practice and was off to run some errands.  In front of me was a convertible Mustang.  The speed limit on this road was 45mph and we were going 35 max.  I was being patient but it was a double yellow line and one lane each way, so I couldn’t pass.  Finally we get to the light and I pull up next to this guy…and no…I was not mad, I really didn’t care much, but he looked at me and before I knew what happened I was having diarrhea of the mouth and I said to him, “If you are going to have a Mustang, DRIVE it!”   Oops….  Typical me. 

I was back on the track on Tuesday. Oh yes!  And, the weather here has been AMAZING – just perfect really (we so deserve that).  And, I woke up feeling very good.  After taking Sunday off to spectate IM WI and then just swim + Pilates on Monday, I felt good!  Anyway, Coach Dave told me a new gal was joining us for the track workout – GOOD!  I love company and we rarely have anyone with us.  So, I rolled up to the track, got out, went to the bathroom (I am nervous like a race always for the track!) and met the new girl.  Pleasant and nice – just got done doing a ½ Marathon over the weekend, so she was there to meet Dave (I think she hired Dave to coach her – she is just a runner).  So, we all warmed up together and she is a TALKER. I could not even get a word in edge –wise!  HA!  So, I just ran off on the side while they talked and she started asking me my PRs and stuff…Um, that IS not how I roll….who cares, really??? I was trying to get Dave’s attention so he could save me…she kinda walked into this whole run thing blindly and I didn’t want her to freak out.  So, I just chuckled and said something aloof.  Then, once we started running it would all work itself out.  So weird to ask about that within 5 minutes of meeting someone.  Not sure I have ever asked anyone that.  Anyway, the track workout went awesome and I felt great – times are coming down and Dave said, “Ah, the old Jennifer is coming back!”  So, excellent.  I still have 8 weeks before Clearwater- that is a lot of time when you are already in shape.

Ok, off to pick up the kids and be mom!  Bye!