I'm a member of a gym associated with a local all girls college. Now, it's not the best facility, but it's not the worst...and it's super cheap with a pool, so it is a perfect fit for me. The school is a little odd. Most of the students seem to be from overseas. I actually haven't seen many that seem like they're locals.
So, the other day, I went to a spinning class, and I left my sunglasses when the class was over. Of course it took me a couple of days to reason through where I saw them last, and I finally concluded that I must've left them at the gym. At lunch one day this week, I dropped by to see if anyone had found them and turned them in. I walked in the front door and approached the young Asian girl behind the counter and asked her "Do you all have a lost and found?" which I'm pretty sure came out like, "Do Y'all have a lawst 'n fownd?". I wish you could've seen the look of utter confusion on her face. It was like I was giving her a really important test and she was failing! Poor thing...and it got me thinking how confused these girls must be by so many of our expressions...dead as a doornail, man alive, three sheets to the wind, dog days of summer, don't beat around the bush, by and large. And, of course the list is endless. And, I'm sure matters are worse in the south, where we don't enunciate very well. It's really crazy how often we speak in terms that don't make any literal sense. If you start paying attention, you'll be amazed! Oh...and I found my sunglasses.
In other randomness, I was watching Champ having a doggie dream last night. It was a particularly active one. He was twitching and moving all over the place. Don't you just wonder what they dream about...I'd give anything to know! And what goes on in those little heads. I think my dogs probably just think about how cool I am all the time...they're such realists.
Sounds like my brother and sister in law are going to take their house off the market and rent it out, so Munson's days at our house are numbered. I will miss him, but I won't miss cleaning up dog hair from 3 dogs. It's out of control right now since it's been so hot. It's been really fun to have him though. I feel a pretty special connection to him since he was my Dad's dog. He's getting a huge backyard at his new house, so Champ and Charlie will have to go over to visit lots!
Friday, June 19, 2009
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
My First Tri
Last weekend, I did my first sprint triathlon. I was so nervous...I had no idea what I was supposed to do once I arrived. I picked up my race packet, and it had all these stickers in it. I had no idea where all the stickers were supposed to go??? It was so nerve racking just being sure I was where I was supposed to be in the appropriate attire. But, at any rate, with a little help from other contestants, I finally got my stickers on my bike, on my helmet, and on my running shirt. And, I was all set.
The event took place at Lake Tobesofkee, and it included a 750 meter swim, a 15 mile bike, and a 5K. So, around 8:15, off we went into Lake Tobesofkee for the swim. I HATED it. So many people trying to swim. People kept touching me...it was awful, but once we got going, everyone spread out, and I was able to settle down. We swam out from the shore around 3 buoys and back to the shore. Well, somewhere after rounding buoy number 3 and before reaching the shore, I veered off course. I sort of zoned out and just started swimming as hard as I could. When I looked up to see how much farther I had, I was looking at a completely different shore. When I swiveled my head to the right, I saw the finish line at about a 45 degree angle from the direction I was swimming. So, I had to swim like a mad woman to get back on course, and as a result, I think I lost about 5 minutes on the swim...not to mention, swimming is hard and I didn't want to swim 1 second longer than absolutely necessary. But, I made it either way!
After the swim, we had to sprint up a big hill to the "transition area" where our bikes were stored. We threw on our helmets, jumped on our bikes, and we were off. I was riding a mountain bike with slick tires, which put me at a pretty big disadvantage. Bikes like mine are just not built for speed, and I got passed by quite a few girls on bikes specifically made for triathlons. That was frustrating, but there's not much you can do about it. I finished the bike, with my legs feeling great. I jumped off my bike, ditched it in the transition area, and headed out for my run.
Now, there's not much to a 5K. I am able to handle 5Ks pretty easily; however, this is not after swimming about half a mile and cycling 15. I started to feel like I was going to throw up. I was shuffling along at a snail's pace, and it didn't help that the run course was entirely uphill on the way out. I had to stop a couple of times and walk for 30 seconds just to get my breathing under control. The good news about the course being entirely uphill on the way out is that it's entirely downhill on the way home...literally, all I had to do was keep my feet moving. There was one pretty steep hill to climb just before the finish line. I made it over that, and ran as fast as I could (which wasn't very) across the finish line.
Gasping for breath, I was said to myself, "What the hell was I thinking??? That was hard!" My time was 1 hr 50 minutes, by no means a great time. I finished right around the middle of the pack. Exhaustion was starting to set it. I was starving because it had been 5 hours since I ate breakfast, but about 30 seconds after I finished, I was thinking about how soon I could be ready for another one. Someone told me it was addictive, and they were right. There's something exhilirating about being around so many people in such good shape (I'm not including myself in that group, mind you!). I think I may be hooked.
Oh, the other fun thing is that most people compete in the age group division where you're competing again other women within you age group...mine was 25-29. They mark all over your body with permanent marker, which I am NOT a fan of...I don't see how it's really all that necessary. But they write your number on both upper arms and above both knees. The best mark, however, is saved for the back of the calf...your AGE! I was obsessed with looking at people's ages. And there were some that blew me away. 50 year old women that didn't look at day over 35. Women in there 60's still competing. It was boggling my mind. And, it doesn't hurt your motivation when someone who's older than your parents passes you and leaves you in the dust. So, if anyone out there is interested, come on out...I'd love to have some company!
The event took place at Lake Tobesofkee, and it included a 750 meter swim, a 15 mile bike, and a 5K. So, around 8:15, off we went into Lake Tobesofkee for the swim. I HATED it. So many people trying to swim. People kept touching me...it was awful, but once we got going, everyone spread out, and I was able to settle down. We swam out from the shore around 3 buoys and back to the shore. Well, somewhere after rounding buoy number 3 and before reaching the shore, I veered off course. I sort of zoned out and just started swimming as hard as I could. When I looked up to see how much farther I had, I was looking at a completely different shore. When I swiveled my head to the right, I saw the finish line at about a 45 degree angle from the direction I was swimming. So, I had to swim like a mad woman to get back on course, and as a result, I think I lost about 5 minutes on the swim...not to mention, swimming is hard and I didn't want to swim 1 second longer than absolutely necessary. But, I made it either way!
After the swim, we had to sprint up a big hill to the "transition area" where our bikes were stored. We threw on our helmets, jumped on our bikes, and we were off. I was riding a mountain bike with slick tires, which put me at a pretty big disadvantage. Bikes like mine are just not built for speed, and I got passed by quite a few girls on bikes specifically made for triathlons. That was frustrating, but there's not much you can do about it. I finished the bike, with my legs feeling great. I jumped off my bike, ditched it in the transition area, and headed out for my run.
Now, there's not much to a 5K. I am able to handle 5Ks pretty easily; however, this is not after swimming about half a mile and cycling 15. I started to feel like I was going to throw up. I was shuffling along at a snail's pace, and it didn't help that the run course was entirely uphill on the way out. I had to stop a couple of times and walk for 30 seconds just to get my breathing under control. The good news about the course being entirely uphill on the way out is that it's entirely downhill on the way home...literally, all I had to do was keep my feet moving. There was one pretty steep hill to climb just before the finish line. I made it over that, and ran as fast as I could (which wasn't very) across the finish line.
Gasping for breath, I was said to myself, "What the hell was I thinking??? That was hard!" My time was 1 hr 50 minutes, by no means a great time. I finished right around the middle of the pack. Exhaustion was starting to set it. I was starving because it had been 5 hours since I ate breakfast, but about 30 seconds after I finished, I was thinking about how soon I could be ready for another one. Someone told me it was addictive, and they were right. There's something exhilirating about being around so many people in such good shape (I'm not including myself in that group, mind you!). I think I may be hooked.
Oh, the other fun thing is that most people compete in the age group division where you're competing again other women within you age group...mine was 25-29. They mark all over your body with permanent marker, which I am NOT a fan of...I don't see how it's really all that necessary. But they write your number on both upper arms and above both knees. The best mark, however, is saved for the back of the calf...your AGE! I was obsessed with looking at people's ages. And there were some that blew me away. 50 year old women that didn't look at day over 35. Women in there 60's still competing. It was boggling my mind. And, it doesn't hurt your motivation when someone who's older than your parents passes you and leaves you in the dust. So, if anyone out there is interested, come on out...I'd love to have some company!
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Making Every Day Count
Every now and then, something happens to me that reminds me of how short and unpredictable life is. I can remember after my Dad died literally treasuring each day and trying so hard to make the most of my life. But, as time passes, memories fade, people get busy, work gets stressful, and I forget to wake up each morning and thank God for all of the ways that he has blessed me. Rather than being thankful for a new day on this wonderful planet, I'm moaning and groaning about going to work when the fact is, there are many people in this country who would kill to have a job like mine to go to each day.
Yesterday was one of those wake up calls for me. One of my coworkers named Robby has ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease). He was diagnosed about four years ago. At the time, he wasn't working for my company. He actually worked for one of our clients. So, when I first started working, he was the first client that I met and interacted with. He was full of life and personality, and fortunately, he hung in there with me while I learned the ropes and never got frustrated. Robby was married and had a 6 year old son at the time (who is now 10). I can remember going to a meeting with him, and he had lost his voice. Initially, they diagnosed him with a paralyzed vocal cord. But as time went on and they ran more tests, they eventually diagnosed him with ALS. At first, everyone thought it must be a mistake. He was in the prime of his life with no symptoms other than the loss of his voice.
By the time he was diagnosed, he had left his previous job and was working for my company. He has years of experience in lots of different areas of engineering and was a tremendous asset to our firm. He worked up until January of this year, when working just became too much. He can't speak anymore. He has a permanent feeding tube and a permanent ventilator. After he was permanently put on the ventilator, he was confined to a wheelchair because the machine is too heavy to transport otherwise. But the most important thing that he has is the most positive attitude of anyone I have ever known. You see, he doesn't feel sorry for himself. He doesn't question why God would let this happen to him.
Yesterday a reception was held where he was honored by the Georgia Association of Water Professionals for his help with small water sytems in Georgia. At the reception, everyone stood and said a few words about what Robby has meant to them. It was so powerful to sit and hear about all the people that have been inspired by Robby. His wife spoke about her reluctance to turn problems over to God. She said that Robby has always turned things over to God and she has always "taken things personal." I found that so relatable. I know that I don't always trust that God is in control of the things that are happening in my life. I'm always the one asking, "Why me?". But, to sit and hear people who have as many obstacles to overcome as Robby and his family talk about bringing people to God, I felt ashamed. Robby's wife said that driving home from his diagnosis he said that if he could bring even one person to God through his situation, then the entire disease was worth it. And anyone who knows anything about ALS knows the gravity of that comment. It is a horrendous disease that causes muscle atrophy throughout the body, and many times, the patient loses control of all voluntary movement.
So, I am inspired once again to live life to the fullest. Tomorrow is never a guarantee, and I don't want to leave this world with any regrets. I'm so thankful to God for people like Robby who have the strength of character to persevere through difficult circumstances to reach people and make a difference.
Yesterday was one of those wake up calls for me. One of my coworkers named Robby has ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease). He was diagnosed about four years ago. At the time, he wasn't working for my company. He actually worked for one of our clients. So, when I first started working, he was the first client that I met and interacted with. He was full of life and personality, and fortunately, he hung in there with me while I learned the ropes and never got frustrated. Robby was married and had a 6 year old son at the time (who is now 10). I can remember going to a meeting with him, and he had lost his voice. Initially, they diagnosed him with a paralyzed vocal cord. But as time went on and they ran more tests, they eventually diagnosed him with ALS. At first, everyone thought it must be a mistake. He was in the prime of his life with no symptoms other than the loss of his voice.
By the time he was diagnosed, he had left his previous job and was working for my company. He has years of experience in lots of different areas of engineering and was a tremendous asset to our firm. He worked up until January of this year, when working just became too much. He can't speak anymore. He has a permanent feeding tube and a permanent ventilator. After he was permanently put on the ventilator, he was confined to a wheelchair because the machine is too heavy to transport otherwise. But the most important thing that he has is the most positive attitude of anyone I have ever known. You see, he doesn't feel sorry for himself. He doesn't question why God would let this happen to him.
Yesterday a reception was held where he was honored by the Georgia Association of Water Professionals for his help with small water sytems in Georgia. At the reception, everyone stood and said a few words about what Robby has meant to them. It was so powerful to sit and hear about all the people that have been inspired by Robby. His wife spoke about her reluctance to turn problems over to God. She said that Robby has always turned things over to God and she has always "taken things personal." I found that so relatable. I know that I don't always trust that God is in control of the things that are happening in my life. I'm always the one asking, "Why me?". But, to sit and hear people who have as many obstacles to overcome as Robby and his family talk about bringing people to God, I felt ashamed. Robby's wife said that driving home from his diagnosis he said that if he could bring even one person to God through his situation, then the entire disease was worth it. And anyone who knows anything about ALS knows the gravity of that comment. It is a horrendous disease that causes muscle atrophy throughout the body, and many times, the patient loses control of all voluntary movement.
So, I am inspired once again to live life to the fullest. Tomorrow is never a guarantee, and I don't want to leave this world with any regrets. I'm so thankful to God for people like Robby who have the strength of character to persevere through difficult circumstances to reach people and make a difference.
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