tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46231724498488914712024-03-05T06:07:31.866-08:00Beating Down My Inner Fat KidMy name is Lauren, I am a runner and wannabe Ironman in training trying to lose a few pounds along the way. Eating right and training has always been a struggle for me please follow along as I try to make new habits, break old ones and and stay sane along the way! MrsLEllishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02381987066413068555noreply@blogger.comBlogger215125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4623172449848891471.post-53732001534407534292018-06-04T14:23:00.000-07:002018-06-04T14:23:35.187-07:00My beat up and over used wagon <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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</div>
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Back on the wagon
again.<o:p></o:p></div>
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How many times have I
said that?<o:p></o:p></div>
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How many promises
have I broken to myself and to others?<o:p></o:p></div>
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This would be the
time I lose the weight<o:p></o:p></div>
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This is the time I
keep it off<o:p></o:p></div>
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I have been on every
diet out there<o:p></o:p></div>
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I have read every
nutrition book<o:p></o:p></div>
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I’ve been to a
nutritionist who specialized in eating disorders<o:p></o:p></div>
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I went to a
nutritionist who specialized in endurance athletes<o:p></o:p></div>
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I ate mindfully<o:p></o:p></div>
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I ate whatever I wanted<o:p></o:p></div>
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I ate only vegetables
and beans<o:p></o:p></div>
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I tracked<o:p></o:p></div>
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I didn’t track<o:p></o:p></div>
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I’ve been through
every emotion<o:p></o:p></div>
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Happy<o:p></o:p></div>
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Sad<o:p></o:p></div>
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Anxiety<o:p></o:p></div>
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Mad<o:p></o:p></div>
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Frustrated<o:p></o:p></div>
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I felt them all<o:p></o:p></div>
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Full <o:p></o:p></div>
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Not Full<o:p></o:p></div>
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Where the fuck is my
pizza and donuts <o:p></o:p></div>
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Show me one more
piece of spinach and I will stab you<o:p></o:p></div>
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Brussel Sprouts are
life<o:p></o:p></div>
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Spinach in my spirit
animal<o:p></o:p></div>
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Pizza is my spirit
animal<o:p></o:p></div>
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No its fine, Michelob
Ultra is low carb<o:p></o:p></div>
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Seriously. No more
spinach. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Give me a cow, almost
raw, just kissed on the grill and some horseradish. <o:p></o:p></div>
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All.Of.The.Emotions. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I am like my own
spinning wheel of prizes<o:p></o:p></div>
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But sometimes that
spinning makes me bloated and full of donuts <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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I will never be, nor
do I want to be somebody who eats only spinach and chicken for the rest of
their life<o:p></o:p></div>
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I need moments with
pizza and red chili, and beer, and donuts<o:p></o:p></div>
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But as I have
discovered I have to regulate them. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Like a drill
sergeant. <o:p></o:p></div>
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This doesn’t mean I
need to feel guilty about eating them <o:p></o:p></div>
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(whew that I was a
big barrier to leap over)<o:p></o:p></div>
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But Moderation
doesn’t work for me <o:p></o:p></div>
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(read Swim Bike Moms
post on this, it’s fantastic)<o:p></o:p></div>
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I can’t eat a slice
of pizza 1x a week and be done<o:p></o:p></div>
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It wakes some kind of
beast in me that screams for all of the sausage in the building and a gallon of
ranch. <o:p></o:p></div>
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So instead I have it
every now and then<o:p></o:p></div>
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I let the fat kid out
and then I cage him until next time. <o:p></o:p></div>
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But the longer the
fat kid is out, the harder it is to shove him back in the cage.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Also if I ate pizza
once a week I would gain 20lbs<o:p></o:p></div>
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Sure, go ahead and
laugh. <o:p></o:p></div>
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But Lauren it’s not
your whole day, one piece of pizza doesn’t make you fat just like one salad
doesn’t make you healthy<o:p></o:p></div>
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Oh. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Oh, Honey. <o:p></o:p></div>
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For me it does. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I have eat a fairly
regulated set of meals just to stay in the overweight category instead of the
morbidly obese category<o:p></o:p></div>
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(Both categories I
have to fight like a rabies filled raccoon to get out of)<o:p></o:p></div>
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This involves a lot
of egg whites and a lot of vegetables. <o:p></o:p></div>
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But you run all the
time, you’re an Ironman!<o:p></o:p></div>
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You are proving my
point. <o:p></o:p></div>
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And I am sure someone
is out there screaming but if you only went vegan/keto/south beach/21 day
fix you wouldn’t have to do that. <o:p></o:p></div>
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And I can tell you, I
have tried. <o:p></o:p></div>
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And at the end of the
day everyone is different. <o:p></o:p></div>
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What works for others
may not work for me. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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I think this is an
epiphany for me. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Why I struggle so
much with eating a way that keeps me in a healthy category<o:p></o:p></div>
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(Please don’t say you
can be healthy at any size. Happy for you but it’s not for me)<o:p></o:p></div>
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Anyway. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The reason that I
struggle so much and why I am constantly jumping on and off the wagon is that I
know at the end of the day if I truly want to lose weight and work on my health
(above and beyond my ability to run a shit ton of miles) I have to eat a very
regulated menu. <o:p></o:p></div>
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For the rest of my
life. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Ugh<o:p></o:p></div>
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AMIRIGHT?<o:p></o:p></div>
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My family and health
means more to me than that<o:p></o:p></div>
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But it turns me into
a foot stomping 2 year old<o:p></o:p></div>
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BUT I DON’T WANT TO
EAT MY SPINACH<o:p></o:p></div>
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Alright chill the F
out Lauren, you are a 31 year old women who can cook a plethora of
different vegetables and enjoy them. <o:p></o:p></div>
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You love Brussel
sprouts you hippie weirdo. <o:p></o:p></div>
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And I still will give
myself breaks to enjoy food (and I will not feel guilty when I do)<o:p></o:p></div>
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But. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Fucking but.<o:p></o:p></div>
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@#$*(&$@^ BUT. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I have to eat a lot
of vegetables, lean meats and egg whites in between those “fun” days<o:p></o:p></div>
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I also have to make
sure fun days don’t turn into fun weeks/months/years/my thirties. <o:p></o:p></div>
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So some days I
grumble into my foods<o:p></o:p></div>
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Some days I dive into
a plate full of broccoli like it’s my savior<o:p></o:p></div>
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Sometimes I decide
that today is a day for pizza and I unlatch the fat kids cage. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Just like some days I
run 20 miles and some days I sit on the couch<o:p></o:p></div>
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Moderation may not be
my thing but Balance can be. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I am on week 3 of my
regimented ways and shockingly its working. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The fat kid and I
cannot coexist on a regular basis. <o:p></o:p></div>
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We have to be friends
who see each other only at weddings and reunions<o:p></o:p></div>
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So If you see me and
I am eating my egg whites and broccoli please don’t tell me to live a little. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I want to live a lot
and for a long time<o:p></o:p></div>
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Please don’t tell me
its ok to have just one because I won’t<o:p></o:p></div>
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Please know it’s
taking a good amount of effort to make lasting changes and that I want to be
the best version of myself. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br /></div>
MrsLEllishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02381987066413068555noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4623172449848891471.post-77172652793889558922018-01-16T17:48:00.000-08:002018-01-16T17:48:50.482-08:00Halfway<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Well. </div>
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I have survived the first half of training, only 5 weeks to go. </div>
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5 weeks to take another considerable chunk of time off my miles</div>
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I have made significant strides with my speed but I have to now add in consistency</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
AND take away some of the standing on a random road trying to suck air into my lungs while convincing my legs to keep going and simultaneously yelling numerous amounts of curse words put together in creative fun lengthy strings. </div>
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Yes. </div>
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Less of that. </div>
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I am starting to get into the longer miles and every weekend is based on when and how I can get my run in</div>
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Waking up at 5 (ON A WEEKEND!) </div>
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eating oatmeal</div>
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wearing fanny packs</div>
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having friends drive out to bring you lube on a Sunday morning</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
LUBE DELIVERY ON A SUNDAY</div>
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Yeah. That happened</div>
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Chill out it was for my arms</div>
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Oh, whats that you say? </div>
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Why would one put lube on their arms?</div>
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that's not the fun way to use it?</div>
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Well... </div>
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That's, like, your opinion man. </div>
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Also some of us don't quite think out the fact that their super cool back pack that carries treats (yes I call them treats) and water might create enough friction under their arms to start a fire (or draw blood)</div>
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Training is FUN!</div>
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also... time to switch back to the fanny pack</div>
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But progress is happening</div>
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improvement is happening </div>
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Those are W's in my world</div>
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Is there a chance that I won't hit the sub 2?</div>
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Yes </div>
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It's so hard to balance this brain of mine</div>
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Inner Athlete is screaming " There is no failure! We DO NOT accept defeat. Sub 2 or die trying" </div>
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Inner rational Lauren says "give it everything you have, but don't let this consume you"</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Inner Fat Kid wants to know if we get pizza afterwards and by afterwards he means do we really have to run at all and can't we just eat the pizza? </div>
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Its a 3 way tug of war. </div>
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Right now I am leaning towards " If you can walk when you finish you didn't push hard enough but if you don't hit your goal then try again and a large Sausage double cheese."</div>
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Training continues</div>
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The inner battle continues</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I continue. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
LUBE DELIVERY! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Ya'll I had to put out an SOS to my running friends to bring me lube</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And she showed up with multiples kinds</div>
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that cracks me up. </div>
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It just makes me giggle</div>
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Ok I will stop</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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Anyways... </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
everyone have a good week and I will try to get better at checking in </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
LUBE</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
SOS</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I sent out a lube SOS</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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Ok I swear that was the last time... </div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
</div>
MrsLEllishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02381987066413068555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4623172449848891471.post-57204363645989591972017-11-27T16:44:00.001-08:002017-11-27T16:44:23.956-08:00In the words of Bruce Willis <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Hi. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It's been a while</div>
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A long while</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
My computer gave me a "new number who dis" when I tried to sign in </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
My self imposed year off is over </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I celebrated by signing up for a half marathon</div>
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because... duh </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and I am sure you are all wondering why I signed up for another race</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But Lauren, you didn't even know if you liked racing anymore</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
You couldn't remember what it was like to enjoy training</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
you spent hours and days wondering if you actually liked racing or if you did it because other people in your life enjoy racing. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
You.Took.A.Year.Off. </div>
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and this is what you decide??</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
A half marathon?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
way to ease into it dipshit</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Guess what?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Turns out I really do like racing</div>
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training.... eh</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
its alright</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
but racing.</div>
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Fuck... </div>
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its the best. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Finish lines and cheering crowds</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
people pushing to be their best</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
the adrenaline</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
the sweat</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
the feeling like your chest is about to explode and your legs might give out and jesus christ am I hallucinating or is that pepperoni pizza at an aid station</div>
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its the best.</div>
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and I missed it</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
at first I didn't think I did</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I went to a few races and without fail 17 or more people asked me if I was sad</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and I proudly held up my breakfast burrito, looked down at my sandals and said NO!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
then a few months later I went to some more races</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and I watched people cross the finish line</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
cross the finish line into a giant puddle of sweaty stinky smiling mess</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and I smiled</div>
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then I teared up</div>
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then I said seriously Lauren? get yo shit together. </div>
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and thats when I realized </div>
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I missed racing</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I missed it so much</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I wanted to grab a bib from someone, anyone and push my legs to the limit</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I wanted to have the black lung from a particularly hard run</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I wanted the hunger and the pain</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I wanted it all</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Its official.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I.LOVE.THIS.SHIT</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Love it </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I have this competitiveness that has to be let out </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
running gives me that feeling</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and it doesn't matter if I am first or last</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(but first would be pretty fucking cool)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It matters that I gave it everything I have. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Will I do another full Ironman?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
probably not</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Will I do another half Ironman?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Fuck Yes I will</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and I will hit sub 7</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Will I have moments of failure, moments of wanting to quit, moments of doubt, fat kid off the leash at at buffet moments</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Ha... oh yes, so so many moments. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Will I decided to push for a sub 2 hour half?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
You betcha</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Will I make other decisions that make people question my sanity?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
More than likely. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
but fuck. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Life is too damn short to give it anything but everything you've got. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
As the wise Bruce Willis once said</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="Image result for yippee ki yay" src="https://memegenerator.net/img/instances/250x250/25257171/yippee-ki-yay-mother-fucker.jpg" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
MrsLEllishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02381987066413068555noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4623172449848891471.post-52768049236313201712017-05-19T13:51:00.000-07:002017-05-19T13:51:17.010-07:00Discipline <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Discipline has never
really been my thing<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Donuts have been my
thing<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Pizza has been my
thing<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Eating Chinese food
and watching blazing saddles has been my thing<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">But discipline… <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Nah, I’m good thanks.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I wait for motivation
to strike and then I bleed that well dry<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Example: training for
3 half iron and 1 full iron distance races in 12 months. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">As I entered my
(Scotts) credit card info I basked in my motivation <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I sat high upon my
motivation mountain and looked down<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I was motivation, I
breathed motivation, I became one with motivation<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Right up until I wasn’t
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The well was dry<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I was chugging my
bike up another goddamn hill thinking how I could be eating donuts and not
chewing on another peanut butter and jelly sandwich and boom motivation was
gone. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The fickle creature
left me right in the middle of my training. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Poof.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Gone. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">See Ya Later<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">My motivation had
gone to the pizza parlor to kick back with a beer<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I was still on the
hill<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It was discipline
that kept me from throwing my bike in front of traffic and following my
motivation to get pizza<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">There has to be a
balance <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">As soon as I crossed
that finish line I lost a large chunk of both<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I put my bike in
hibernation, nursed my sore and chafed body parts, and went after some beer and
pizza. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Its 6 months later<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">My bike and I are
still not talking<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Nether regions have
not forgiven me <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I have enjoyed the
hell out of not training<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I do miss competition
but I am sticking to my year off<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The problem with a
year off is finding the discipline and motivation to treat my body like it
deserves<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My goal is happy and healthy<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Not a finish line<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Not a specific weight<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Not a certain pair of
jeans<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Happy<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Healthy<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So I have had to find
discipline<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Motivation is easier <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Motivation is my
husband, my family, our trip to New Zealand<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Discipline is looking
over a pile of donuts as I eat my eggs<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Are donuts the devil?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">No<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Do I have to eat only
Kale and water to hit my goals?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Nope. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In fact if I did that
I would be miserable <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Miserable is very far
from happy and healthy<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So what is the point
of my random ramblings?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Motivation will not
always be there <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Discipline will not
always be there<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Keep moving forward
regardless<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">If you don’t have
motivation to go to the gym that day then go because you are a disciplined
athlete<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">No discipline to put
down the donuts? Then use your motivation to back away and eat something that
makes you feel good. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We have to find
balance<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">None of us are
perfect<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Least of all me<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Find the balance<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Find the motivation<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Find the discipline<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Find Happiness. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
MrsLEllishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02381987066413068555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4623172449848891471.post-44933384498873681222016-12-05T16:52:00.002-08:002016-12-05T16:52:53.561-08:00Life Post Ironman <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: center;">
2 weeks ago I raced 140.6 miles </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
then I did nothing </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
nada</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
zilch</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
zero</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
well I did eat</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
but as the cruel fates would have it I also contracted the cold from hell </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
so while I could eat and not have to train</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I was also coughing up my lung</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I did combine a crap load of dayquil with some intense will power to attend a concert with Mr Fat kid</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
we had so much fun, dancing and singing. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So much fun in fact that we were hurting the next morning<br />
Did you know there are bars that sell 6 packs?<br />
we didn't<br />
we do now...<br />
Like I said... We were hurting </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So what does life after Ironman hold for me? </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Well I am sticking to my guns about no racing/training in 2017</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
My life has revolved around Ironman training for the past 20+ months</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I need a break mentally<br />
You can only spend so much time worrying about did you buy enough lube, is what you just ate going to make you shit your pants on a run, or does this fanny pack look cool?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Even before I decided to tackle the Ironman world I was always training for something</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It has been my way of keeping the fat kid in check </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
If I pick a race that scares the crap out of me then I am more likely to get my ass to the gym</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
so now I have a year of relying on my own motivation to continue to stay healthy</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
that is scary</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
the fat kid is running around screaming that we are going to eat ALLLLLLL the Cake</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
drink ALLLLL the beers</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and NEVER RUN EVER AGAIN</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Meanwhile the inner athlete is walking around in circles wearing the Ironman medal and trying to calculate the pace we would need to keep to run a sub 2hr 1/2 marathon, the training plan we could build to get back down to a 9 min mile, or searching Tri bikes for sale in stevebay.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I need balance</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I need to trust myself </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and I need the inner athlete to sit on the Fat Kid</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
There has to be a world where we eat cake (<i>A</i> piece not the whole cake)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
we run because we want to, not because we have to</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
maybe we even run fast </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
maybe we work in some zone 2</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
maybe we research fast/flat 70.3 courses and day dream about a sub 6.5</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
maybe we say screw it and spend out afternoons jumping on trampolines<br />
Or sitting in our house blogging while listening to Spice Girls with a snoring dog at my feet<br />
(definitely not what is going on currently)<br />
Who knows<br />
<br />
I know that it is scary<br />
Who thought I would be afraid of not training<br />
not me<br />
not the fat kid<br />
maybe the shaking and rocking inner athlete, she might have had an inkling<br />
trust<br />
fuck.<br />
how do you trust yourself?<br />
how do I let go of that control<br />
my sweet sweet control...<br />
no training plans<br />
just me and the motivation to stay healthy and enjoy myself<br />
enjoy working out<br />
I know part of the reason I love racing is I love pushing my body to that limit<br />
I love finding that limit and pushing past it<br />
I like the pain<br />
I would feel weird about that last sentence but I know I am not alone<br />
I married someone who feels the same way<br />
So now I workout out to enjoy it<br />
again the fat kid and inner athlete are screaming over what to do<br />
the fat kid is making the argument that if we change the TV channel enough times its a workout<br />
The inner athlete is wearing a drill sergeant outfit while screaming to run sprints and do burpees<br />
I think trampolines and riding horses at adrenaline inducing speeds are in my future<br />
bonus... I don't have to worry about getting hurt and dropping out of a expensive race<br />
Balance<br />
trust<br />
fuck<br />
<br />
Have I mentioned I am scared?<br />
<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image result for trust yourself funny" height="320" src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/ff/89/ed/ff89edb8e45dba76383534da07e0f9e3.jpg" width="216" /><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
</div>
MrsLEllishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02381987066413068555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4623172449848891471.post-69136836269294721192016-11-22T17:50:00.001-08:002016-11-22T17:51:15.702-08:00Race Report: Ironman Arizona 140.Freaking6<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: center;">
I wanted to use another word for Freaking</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
You're welcome Dad. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I am an Ironman</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I have joined the ranks of crazy bastards who swim 2.4 miles, bike 112 miles, and run 26.2 miles</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Ya'll are a bunch of nut-bags</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and I am so happy to be here</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHsYWZcatADB-3_0PfiX9RE-wQHZS4Te95fTHJhCUK_fBW9LO16ihJ7_aeHvH6Sp2arJfafmbVm4yhjmsq4KtV86dTfmSKR9h-gvlGsCnoRKKEXrM5-XJVYMCsWHLTKTTias6e9YgSiy8/s1600/7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHsYWZcatADB-3_0PfiX9RE-wQHZS4Te95fTHJhCUK_fBW9LO16ihJ7_aeHvH6Sp2arJfafmbVm4yhjmsq4KtV86dTfmSKR9h-gvlGsCnoRKKEXrM5-XJVYMCsWHLTKTTias6e9YgSiy8/s320/7.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
It was such a long day (16+ hrs) but it seemed to go by in a blur</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Friday afternoon I got off work and headed down to check in</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I was so stressed and anxious that I almost had a melt down right there in the beach park</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I pulled myself together enough to nod along and pretend I was listening to the very nice volunteers explaining to me where to sign my life away, where to put my stickers and I tried not to think of the bracelet as a handcuff. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Once I was checked in I headed to the swag tent.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
because....swag. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We wandered around a bit and then headed home. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Once we were home I started panicking again. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
It was 4pm, I still needed to pack, swim, seat, and go shopping</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Luckily Scott saw the panic in my eyes, took my shopping list and went to grab my extra supplies and grab dinner while I got my last swim in</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We packed my bags, unpacked them, repacked them and then I made myself leave the Tri-room and attempt to relax (aka: eat a bean burrito laced with xanax)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Before I knew it, it was Saturday morning... how in the almighty fuck did that happen?</div>
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why is time NOT slowing down</div>
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I am not ready </div>
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I didn't train hard enough</div>
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I could have pushed myself harder</div>
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I could have... I should have... </div>
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Then I told myself to cram it</div>
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<img alt="Image result for i panicked but then i handled it" height="128" src="https://67.media.tumblr.com/20a4e8acfabcca86b56e168a7d60c699/tumblr_inline_o0nhpwp1GU1rqfc4i_500.gif" width="320" /></div>
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I checked my bike and bags in, talked with friends and went home to eat my way through the pita jungle menu and put my feet up. </div>
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I woke up at 3:30 Sunday morning, oddly calm. </div>
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I had laid everything out </div>
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(or so I thought....foreshadowing)</div>
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so I just needed to make my breakfast, coffee and get into the truck for the ride down</div>
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We beat the traffic down and my anxiety went down even more</div>
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before I knew it I was lining up with 3000 of my closest friends</div>
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I placed myself with the 1:20 group and waited not so patiently for the gun to go off</div>
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I knew once I was in the water and moving the anxiety would go away and I could do the job I had come out to do</div>
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The male pro's went off, followed by the womens then they started letting us age groupers in the water</div>
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It was a rolling swim start so once you are the water your chip starts timing</div>
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This was my first non- age group all female wave swim</div>
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let me tell you something... </div>
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men swim like drowning bears</div>
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<img alt="Image result for bad swimmer cartoon" src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/45/87/e3/4587e3466a14e17de4eaa2505f39a4d5.jpg" /></div>
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they throw fists, they climb over you, push you and they pissed me the hell off</div>
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I think I swam faster just because I had to keep kicking them off my feet</div>
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I came out of the water at 1:24 </div>
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this was right in my goal time so I was pretty damn happy</div>
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Scott was a volunteer and managed to make it to the wetsuit stripping and he helped me out of my </div>
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suit and ran off to grab my bags</div>
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Once I had my bags I ran into T1 to another smiling face Mrs. Amy</div>
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I warned her about what she was about to see and started stripping</div>
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I did FULL costume changes in each transition so I could be as comfortable as possible through out the day.</div>
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I wanted padded bike shorts for my ride, my comfy running shorts and a clean dry shirt for my run</div>
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once I was out of T1, I grabbed my bike from Scott and ran out</div>
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Once I was on my bike it started to settle in that I needed to bike 112 miles, 3 loops on the beeline. </div>
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I had not managed to make it past 80 miles in my training so this was going to be my longest ride ever. </div>
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(Apparently I dipped into the Beardedginja/Tdds training program)</div>
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Loop 1 felt great, I made it to the turn around in 1:23 and I had very little knee pain. </div>
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The weather couldn't have been better, 70's and overcast</div>
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I headed back down to Rio cruising at 24 mph and finished the first loop in 2:20</div>
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As I started back up the hill for the 2nd loop I started to feel the dreaded knee pain that had knocked me down flat the last 2 weeks of training. </div>
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I prayed to whatever gods had gotten my liver through college and downed more Ibuprofen </div>
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I trudged up the GD hill to shea for the 2nd time but this time I had to stop to stretch my quad, my back, and I made it to special needs (another cameo from team TDDS)</div>
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They helped me unpack mybags and they held my bike so I could sit on the ground and stretch some more. </div>
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I am pretty sure I got off my bike more that any other person on that course</div>
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thats how it felt anyways. </div>
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I had actually stayed on top of my water intake and I was polishing off 4 bottles per loop</div>
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which is great news for my liver and kidneys</div>
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not so great for the 87 bathroom breaks I had to take</div>
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I also forgot my first set of base salt and nuun so I had to wait until I made it to special needs for my extras, then at some point those fell out of my jersey. </div>
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So water it is!</div>
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I tried a gatorade and it was awful, way too much sugar for me. </div>
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I also at one point thought I had left my uncrustables (which I had already left at home but luckily Mark ran to the store on his way in for me) in T1... Scott and Mark pointed out that they were in fact just in the back pockets of my jersey. </div>
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DOH!</div>
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I had gone 2 laps on just two burgers and as many lara bar bites as I could shove in my mouth</div>
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I felt better on loop 3 than I did on 2</div>
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I made it up to shea in decent time</div>
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Scott and Mark were there waiting for me so I got off my bike for a few minutes</div>
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re-lubed... found a chafed spot courtesy of the lube</div>
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tried not to cry</div>
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went to put some vaseline on my wind burned lips and thankfully Scott reminded me to switch hands</div>
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Do not lube and put chapstick on with the same hand</div>
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Also don't put biofreeze on first then use the same hand to re-lune</div>
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just trust me on that one. </div>
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Downhill on loop 3 was rough, I was going into the wind, I was tired and I wanted to un-wedge the bike seat from my ass. </div>
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I only managed 18mph on the downhills and maybe 12mph on the flats </div>
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Finally I came into T2</div>
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its pretty awesome to come in with your family and friends screaming for you</div>
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Scott was at t2 and grabbed my bags for me and I went back into the land of naked stinky women</div>
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one more costume change, some water and I was out on the run course</div>
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now I had not really thought too much about the run during my training</div>
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I was much more concerned with my ability to ride 112 miles in my allotted time</div>
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as I stepped out of the tent it hit me that I still had to run 26.2 miles</div>
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As I started loop 1 I passed Sasha headed out on loop 2</div>
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by the 2nd aid station I had to pee AGAIN</div>
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damn you tiny bladder </div>
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luckily Stacey was there to get a picture! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2bg-A-2wLokaxlEjlvY08jUq78563ZPTWTXwUiFRwdDfYYQizF3cB0aBmAgxi3NwLIGxgkQ3MQ0xfxCJKbVh3s1VcMcmHKc2jVw4CW9HjFS6ee_Y1Tnc5-FTjdZyE3hPqSQGhCNasndk/s1600/8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2bg-A-2wLokaxlEjlvY08jUq78563ZPTWTXwUiFRwdDfYYQizF3cB0aBmAgxi3NwLIGxgkQ3MQ0xfxCJKbVh3s1VcMcmHKc2jVw4CW9HjFS6ee_Y1Tnc5-FTjdZyE3hPqSQGhCNasndk/s320/8.jpg" width="179" /></a></div>
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but guess what? I didn't poop my pants</div>
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#winning</div>
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loop 1 was pretty uneventful</div>
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I was running more than I had anticipated and Scott joined me for a good portion of the run to keep me company</div>
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as I came into mile 13 I hit a wall</div>
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A hard, immovable my feet hurt, I am tired, is this over yet... wall</div>
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Scott kept walking with me, he told me I had to keep a sub 18 min mile to finish in time</div>
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that kind of pissed me off </div>
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I am not an 18 min mile person</div>
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I am not a fast runner but I am not a walker</div>
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I am stubborn and I am not going to take that route just because it would be easier on me</div>
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I grabbed my bean burrito at special needs</div>
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I let my dark thoughts fester for 2 miles</div>
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As I came back under the bridge Scott, Mark, and Jen walked with me for a bit</div>
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I had a scowl on my face and I was hurting</div>
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I decided then that it was going to hurt either way. </div>
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I started running</div>
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my knee was screaming</div>
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I gritted my teeth and kept going</div>
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I ran 20 of the concrete slabs in the side walk then walked 5</div>
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all of a sudden I was running a 12 min mile and cruising towards Mill ave</div>
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the look on Scotts face as I came under the bridge told me I was making good time</div>
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I got a Holy Shit woman, you are doing 12 min miles from Amy</div>
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I had a smile back on my face</div>
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I may be slow</div>
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I may need to walk</div>
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but I am stubborn as fuck. I would give a mule a run for its money</div>
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I made my way up curry where I ran into Scott, mark and Jen again</div>
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Scott told me to slow down so I didn't hurt myself</div>
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I smiled to myself and told him its a good day to die </div>
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<img alt="Image result for prefontaine quotes" height="200" src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/31/a0/24/31a0249e469d78ffd53b80c21eb3872b.jpg" width="160" /> </div>
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<br /></div>
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I had to walk some more as I approached mile 25 </div>
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mile 26 I got a big ass grin on my face</div>
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This has to be what it feels like to be a pro athlete</div>
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people on either side of the chute screaming your name, high fiving you, crying for you</div>
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then you hear it... </div>
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Mike Reilly the voice of Ironman says</div>
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LAUREN ELLIS YOU ARE AN IRONMAN!</div>
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fist pump</div>
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fist pump </div>
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run to Scott who some how has womens race winner taking our picture as he places the medal aroundmy neck and gives me a big kiss and hug. </div>
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I am an Ironman</div>
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the finish line is a blur</div>
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there were lots of pictures</div>
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We even got a picture with Meredith Kessler !</div>
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a volunteer grabbed me by the shoulders (they don't trust you to walk on your own) took my timing chip, handed me my hat and shirt and directed me to the pizza tent</div>
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16+ hrs all to have people bring me pizza and take my shoes off for me</div>
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I am beyond proud of myself </div>
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it took a lot to get me to this point</div>
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Thank you to Scott who was my husband, sherpa, best friend, shoulder to cry on, xanax feeder, chef, housekeeper, landscaper, and the best volunteer out there</div>
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thank you to team TDDS. You all made me smile and laugh every day. You made training so much better. </div>
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Thank you to my Coach Frank Sole, you believed in me and pushed me and I will forever be thankful. (lets talk more about that sub 6:30-70.3 this time next year)</div>
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thank you to all the volunteers especially, Amy, Julie, Steve, Christy, Stacey, Zachary, Scott, Mark, Mandy</div>
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Our Cheering squad, Gotta Run, My parents, Anthony, Theresa, My In-laws (parents, and brothers), TDDS, Heather (even with your evil music), my nieces and nephews, Sarah, all the random strangers </div>
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thank you Ironman for putting on great race</div>
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maybe some more TP and the late night aid stations</div>
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although yelling from a porta potty to volunteers while my pants are down and my quads are frozen so I can't move any where is pretty funny</div>
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( now... not funny then)</div>
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Thank you to the lady who made sure she was far enough in front of me before she stood up and peed on her bike</div>
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Thank you to the athletes who took the time to say hi, ask my name, and ask how I am doing</div>
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Just thank you.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I am sorry if I forgot anyone</div>
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I really couldn't do it without any of you</div>
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I am sticking to my word and I am taking a year off from racing</div>
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I need to focus on being a better Lauren, a wife, a friend, dog mom, and horsewoman. </div>
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maybe that barrel racing horse is in my future... ha! </div>
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I may not have pooped my pants but there is a chance Scott just did </div>
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MrsLEllishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02381987066413068555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4623172449848891471.post-37466565371239309762016-11-11T12:52:00.003-08:002016-11-22T17:51:43.847-08:00Race Day Lists <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">This is the biggest
race of my life <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">(to date) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">I have struggled to
get to this point<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">I have run countless
miles<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Biked all over this
damn city<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Swam enough laps to
make this self-proclaimed fish want to stay on land<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">It’s almost here<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">I want to vomit<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Just puke up all my
nerves and anxiety<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">I am starting to make
packing lists<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">(1. Bike)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Grocery lists<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">(1. No Kale)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">To do lists<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">(1. stop panicking)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Not to do lists<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">(1. poop my pants,
see grocery list above)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">My lists have lists<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Lists are crucial<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">When we were driving
through the bike course at Vineman, we passed a guy yelling at random cars for
bike cleats<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">He was riding a very
nice Tri bike, in a very nice jersey with Vans on<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">I don’t want to be
that guy<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Please don’t let me
be that guy<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Although I would
rather be that person vs the pooping their pants person<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Maybe my lists
need a redo… <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Maybe they need to be
simplified<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">And not in excel
format… scheduled down to the minute. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">New, Simple, Ironman,
no pooping pants list:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Grocery shopping:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Anything that doesn’t
include marinara<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">All I need is wicked
heartburn for 140 miles<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Packing list:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Bike<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Cleats<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Lube<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Clothes<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Goggles<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Wetsuit<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Lube<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Running shoes<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Bib<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Anything else is just
gravy. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">To Do:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Relax, take a Xanax <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Maybe a beer<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Eat <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Drink your water<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Get some sleep <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Don’t do:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Panic<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Watch the weather
channel religiously<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Pop a Xanax into your
beer<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Stare at the ceiling
fan when you should be sleeping and imagine all the horrific ways this could
end<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Vomit<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Cry<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Cry while vomiting<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Poop your pants<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Any combination of
the above<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
</div>
MrsLEllishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02381987066413068555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4623172449848891471.post-65018180868217312432016-11-02T18:49:00.002-07:002016-11-02T18:49:59.497-07:00Taper Ramblings <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: center;">
We are slowly starting to wind our way down to IMAz </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I opened my phone on Monday to a message from Ironman that said "Welcome to Taper Week AZ Athletes!"</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Yeah? Really Ironman? </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It's not enough that you send me Athlete guides or Bib Lists</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Now I need be smacked in the face with the fact that my sand is very quickly running out?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Well. Fine. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I guess those emails ARE helpful</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
but they also give me panic attacks. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It doesn't feel like taper week is here</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Its Wednesday and I have already swam 7300m</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I mean, Fuck. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
AmIright?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I swam so much today that I stopped at the Wendys in my gym parking lot to wreck the shit out of some chicken nuggets</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
That is not some very well thought out adulting</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I am a grown up </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
You think I would throw a granola bar or something in my swim bag </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
nope</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Chicken nuggets</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Spicy chicken nuggets </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
because while I may not be adult enough to remember a snack</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I am adult enough to eat childrens food that will no doubt give me heartburn when I go to bed at 8pm</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Its a delicate balance </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I am so ready for training to be done with but I am not ready for race day to be here</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Sometimes I think about it and I calmly mentally walk myself through what I think the day will be like from check in to crossing that finish line</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Other times I think about the day and I consider turning to Scott and just screaming</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Just screaming</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
maybe some shaking</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
probably some crying</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
maybe some chili dogs</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
who knows where that day dream ends up</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I can see myself towing that start line</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I can imagine making the turn on my bike</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I think about running in the dark </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
then I panic</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Then I talk to Scott and calm down</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
then I panic again</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I am pretty sure that this will be the routine for the next few weeks</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But lets not forget that after I finish, I don't work on Monday. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I work Tuesday and Wednesday</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Then... </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
thanksgiving</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and I... </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
am </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
going </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
to </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
wreck</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
some</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
shit</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="Image result for thanksgiving meme" height="320" src="https://www.askideas.com/media/36/Thanksgiving-Come-At-Me-Bro-Funny-Meme-Image.jpg" width="279" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
MrsLEllishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02381987066413068555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4623172449848891471.post-38775131076301651042016-10-18T18:12:00.000-07:002016-10-18T18:12:25.806-07:00IMAZ 70.3 Race Report <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;">Ironman 70.3 numero tres is in the books</span><u></u><u></u></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;">I even managed to squeak out a PR</span><u></u><u></u></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;">I came out of the water at 40:18</span><u></u><u></u></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;">5 min in transition</span><u></u><u></u></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;">Off the bike in <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_2081858964" style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(204, 204, 204); position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">3:39</span></span></span><u></u><u></u></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;">Another 5 min in transition</span><u></u><u></u></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;">And <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_2081858965" style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(204, 204, 204); position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">3:12</span></span> on the run</span><u></u><u></u></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;">Totaling up to <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_2081858966" style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(204, 204, 204); position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">7:38</span></span></span><u></u><u></u></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;">This is a 15 min PR on this course and a 2 min PR from Oceanside</span><u></u><u></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">This is not my “A” race for the year so I am happy with the outcome especially because I didn’t push it on either the bike or the run.</span><u></u><u></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">The morning started out like any other race morning</span><u></u><u></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">The alarm went off way to early (<span class="aBn" data-term="goog_2081858967" style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(204, 204, 204); position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">3:45</span></span>)</span><u></u><u></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">I grabbed some food, made the coffee and settled into the truck for the drive down to Tempe</span><u></u><u></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">Once we were down there I started setting up my transition</span><u></u><u></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">I usually handle this like a child, I pull all my crap out of my bags, make a huge mess and sit on the ground as I organize it.</span><u></u><u></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">This is also part of the reason I like to be there early, I can make a mess and clean it up before it gets too packed.</span><u></u><u></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">By <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_2081858968" style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(204, 204, 204); position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">6 am</span></span> I was body marked, set up, and out of transition</span><u></u><u></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">Because I was in a later heat that meant I still had 2 hours to hang out</span><u></u><u></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">2 hours to think about the day</span><u></u><u></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">2 hours to contemplate the meaning of life</span><u></u><u></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">2 hours to lube up and get into my wetsuit</span><u></u><u></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">Justin was out of the water and on the bike before I even stuck a toe in</span><u></u><u></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">I wasn’t a huge fan of starting this late, it meant I was going to be in the heat longer and I was going to have to fight through the other waves of people</span><u></u><u></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">Once I was in the water I found my way to the front</span><u></u><u></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">My coach had given me the ok to push as hard as I could in the swim and I wanted a front row spot</span><u></u><u></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">The gun went off and the washing machine started</span><u></u><u></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">Women thrashing, kicking, and swinging their way into a freestyle rhythm</span><u></u><u></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">I took a pretty good hit to the face when I caught someone’s elbow, luckily they hit my goggles and didn’t break my nose.</span><u></u><u></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">This swim felt looooonnnnng</span><u></u><u></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">For IMAZ 70.3 it’s an out and back swim in the shape of a rectangle and you swim counter clockwise</span><u></u><u></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">They have yellow buoys so you know where to go and at the red buoys you turn.</span><u></u><u></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">On the way out I tried to stay as close to the buoys as possible, so close that I accidently ran into 2 or 3 of them</span><u></u><u></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">Eventually I started thinking ok, time to look for the red buoy. It has to be coming up</span><u></u><u></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">Yellow Buoy</span><u></u><u></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">Yellow</span><u></u><u></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">Yellow</span><u></u><u></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">Where is the goddam red</span><u></u><u></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">Yellow</span><u></u><u></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">Yellow</span><u></u><u></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">Seriously how long is this course?</span><u></u><u></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">Yellow</span><u></u><u></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">Ok, I give up. Time to take off my goggles and see where this stupid buoy is</span><u></u><u></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">Oh.</span><u></u><u></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">It’s 12 inches in front of my face.</span><u></u><u></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">TURRRRNNN!</span><u></u><u></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">I checked my watch at the 2<sup>nd</sup> turn (halfway point) and I was under 20 min</span><u></u><u></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">My goal was 40 or under so I put on the rocket boosters and did what I could to stay at the front</span><u></u><u></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">I started passing swim caps that left before me and before I knew it I was coming under the bridge and making the final turn.</span><u></u><u></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">40:18, 2 min PR on the swim!</span><u></u><u></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">I let a stranger rip off my wetsuit and I headed into T2</span><u></u><u></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">I was a little winded when I came in so I took my time getting my shoes on, eating a PBJ sandwich, lathering what I thought was plenty of sunblock on (It wasn’t) and sticking my hand down my pants for the essential lubing of the chassis</span><u></u><u></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">My plan for the bike was consistency, I wasn’t going to push and I wasn’t going to tear up my legs.</span><u></u><u></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">I managed to stay in the 19 min range for each 5 mile segment</span><u></u><u></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">I was having some technical issues with my bike and the clicking sound was getting worse and worse as I went</span><u></u><u></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">I prayed that it would get me through the race and made a silent promise to get it to the bike tech this week</span><u></u><u></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">The IMAZ bike course is a convoluted mess of turn after turn with a few hills and one hair pin turn that will pucker you right up.</span><u></u><u></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">On my 3<sup>rd</sup> loop up to the hair pin turn I didn’t even try to make the turn.</span><u></u><u></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">I was tired, it was hot and the small amount of grace and coordination I do have was long gone.</span><u></u><u></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">I unclipped (which worried the volunteer) and walked my happy ass around that turn.</span><u></u><u></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">I let them know I was fine, just uncoordinated and headed back into T2.</span><u></u><u></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">I was so happy to get off the bike</span><u></u><u></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">Anytime I get to unwedge my ass off a bike seat I could cry with joy</span><u></u><u></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">I made it in at <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_2081858969" style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(204, 204, 204); position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">3:39</span></span> this is pretty close to my previous bike time on this I same course but I used a lot less energy this time around.</span><u></u><u></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">I averaged just over 15mph, which for me is huge to keep that pace consistently</span><u></u><u></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">I walked into T2, went through my costume change (no shame in Ironman), re-lubbed, added more sunblock, grabbed my hat and headed out on the “run”</span><u></u><u></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">I decided after about 5 steps that I was not going to run this race.</span><u></u><u></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">I knew that even with a few days off I still had to jump right back into full training and I wasn’t eager to trash my legs.</span><u></u><u></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">I decided I could keep a <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_2081858970" style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(204, 204, 204); position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">14:30</span></span> pace if I walked quickly and set my eye on that goal.</span><u></u><u></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">The 1<sup>st</sup> loop of the run was uneventful, a little lonely and I perked up big time when I saw my family</span><u></u><u></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">I asked Scott to walk with me for a while just to take my mind off the heat and walking</span><u></u><u></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">This is such a huge lifesaver for me, I am not big on talking to strangers and even an introvert like me could use some company after 5+ hours of alone time.</span><u></u><u></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">I started to chafe a little bit on my under arm and I thought about asking the athletes around me if anyone had lube.</span><u></u><u></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">Then I thought that might be a weird way for me to start a conversation with a random group of strangers</span><u></u><u></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">“excuse me, does anyone have lube?”</span><u></u><u></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">“No, don’t look at me like that! It’s for my arm chafing”</span><u></u><u></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">“ yes that really is a thing”</span><u></u><u></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">“Yes. Arm Chafing”</span><u></u><u></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">“Never mind”</span><u></u><u></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">I think the world of triathlon is one of the only places you can ask someone for a stick of lube and they don’t even bat an eye.</span><u></u><u></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">I knew I had an aid station coming up and I knew I had a friend at that aid station</span><u></u><u></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">So as I came across the bridge I asked Amy to see if they had Vaseline at her station.</span><u></u><u></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">They did!</span><u></u><u></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">As I came around the corner she held up her stick of lube and asked if I needed anything else.</span><u></u><u></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">The only appropriate response was some friendly sexual harassment</span><u></u><u></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">(I will spare you the details)</span><u></u><u></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">My mom and Sarah joined me for a few minutes, my dad stopped in, I high fived TDDS, and kept on trucking</span><u></u><u></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">As I started the 2<sup>nd</sup> loop Scott caught up to me again (He ran almost as much as I did)</span><u></u><u></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">He talked me through my aches and pains and said those magical words every triathlete longs to hear</span><u></u><u></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">“You have a chance to PR this”</span><u></u><u></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">Swoon, right?</span><u></u><u></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">No?</span><u></u><u></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">Ok.</span><u></u><u></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">Well those were exciting words for ME to hear</span><u></u><u></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">I still was intent on not running but I knew even if I kept my current pace I could PR</span><u></u><u></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">The last loop started to wear on me, the heat was intense, I could feel my sun burn, and there is very little shade on the course.</span><u></u><u></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">I was ready to be done and sitting in the AC</span><u></u><u></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">Before I knew it I was less than a mile out</span><u></u><u></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">Scott and my parents were there and kept me going</span><u></u><u></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">Scott let me know I had 6 min min to get to the finish line for a PR</span><u></u><u></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">I started running</span><u></u><u></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">Then I promptly thought “well, Fuck this” and went back to walking</span><u></u><u></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">Scott told me again, 4 min to PR</span><u></u><u></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">Crap. I am going to be so pissed at myself if I miss my chance at a PR because I was walking</span><u></u><u></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">So I ran or hobbled if you will</span><u></u><u></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">Ironman is a group of twisted souls so of course there is a hill right before the finishers chute.</span><u></u><u></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">I made it up the hill and my pain disappeared.</span><u></u><u></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">I high fived Amy, heard the announcer call my name and ran across the finish line</span><u></u><u></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">I was surrounded by awesomness, Julie was there to give me my medal, Scott and my family were waiting at the end of the chute for stinky hugs, and I was finally done.</span><u></u><u></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">70.3 miles in the books</span><u></u><u></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">I came out with some soreness, a wicked sunburn, some chafing, a blister the size of Texas, and a smile on my face</span><u></u><u></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">We grabbed some In N’ Out on the way home and I crashed</span><u></u><u></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">Well. First I had a mild panic attack about the full 140.6 then I crashed.</span><u></u><u></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">My big race is just around the corner.</span><u></u><u></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">I know I will get through it but I am scared.</span><u></u><u></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">Scared and panicked and scared</span><u></u><u></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">Thank you for everyone who came out to watch and cheer, all the volunteers, all the well wishers near and far</span><u></u><u></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">You were all with me on that race course and I couldn’t do it without the support.</span><u></u><u></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">Next up Ironman AZ 140.6</span><u></u><u></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">Don’t vomit</span><u></u><u></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">Don’t poop your pants</span><u></u><u></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">Don’t die</span><u></u><u></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">Cross the finish line before 17 hrs</span><u></u><u></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">Eat all the things</span><u></u><u></u></div>
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MrsLEllishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02381987066413068555noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4623172449848891471.post-16678551085911370672016-10-08T20:07:00.001-07:002016-10-08T20:07:24.545-07:00Sometimes you say fuck. <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Let me start with Hi.</div>
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It's been a while.</div>
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I have been flirting with the idea of coming back to writing for a few weeks now</div>
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I would feel something brewing</div>
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(not a poop)</div>
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then I would lose the little thought bubble that had been floating over my head</div>
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then it would come back</div>
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then I would lose it </div>
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Thought bubbles are fickle little bastards</div>
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<br /></div>
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I am 6 weeks out from my first full Ironman</div>
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Ironman Arizona </div>
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FUCK. </div>
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<br /></div>
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thats it. </div>
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Just fuck. </div>
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Fuck is what is hanging in my thought bubble </div>
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well... that and </div>
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nope lost it again </div>
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Just Fuck</div>
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I still have no filter and this is still not a blog for those who are offended by crude language. </div>
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<br /></div>
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***Caution***</div>
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The F words comes up a lot</div>
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and I also talk about lube more than the average person</div>
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also I wear a fanny pack when I run and I understand if you cannot support that. </div>
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<br /></div>
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Training for a full 140.6 is completely different than training for the half</div>
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Not that I think 70.3's are easy or that they don't deserve respect. They do. </div>
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But sometimes when I am in hour 5 of my bike ride and my ass hurts and a lot of other parts hurt I think about how adorable it was when I thought 70.3 training was the hardest thing I would ever do.</div>
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You hit a point in training where every ride/run/swim you do is going to be your longest ride/run/swim ever. </div>
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ever, ever, fucking ever. </div>
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Last week I biked 70 miles, the week before that 62 miles, this week I am shooting for 90 miles.</div>
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You buy lube in bulk</div>
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(not the fun kind)</div>
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You discuss the pros/cons of said lube with complete strangers</div>
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(I hope this is something that only triathletes do)</div>
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you eat a lot. </div>
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Your day revolves around eating and training... and sleeping </div>
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People ask me how training is going and my answer is the same every time.</div>
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I am tired, I am hungry, and I am sore</div>
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your house is in shambles</div>
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Need to know what gift to give that special triathlete in your life?</div>
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A maid, a cook, and a lawn service. </div>
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My grass is dead and I am not sure if that ball of hair in the corner is a dust bunny or we took in another foster dog.</div>
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You know what? Just buy them astro turf. </div>
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It's not like they are going to stop this dumb shit anytime soon.</div>
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I am lucky that I have a sherpa who makes sure I have clean underwear, fresh sports bras, and who tucks me into bed at 6pm on Friday/Saturday nights</div>
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But you also realize that your body is capable of some pretty cool shit</div>
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and I don't just mean your bladders ability to recognize when there is a clean bathroom (permanent) in a 1 mile radius. </div>
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Those miles you didn't think you could ever run? You run them</div>
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That course you never thought you could finish? You crush it</div>
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That swim with big waves and dark skies? You push though it</div>
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That ride when you forget to lube and cry during your shower when fresh water hits fresh chafed skin? You never forget lube again</div>
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That ride with 3 flat tires in 12 miles? You learn to change a tire with your eyes closed. </div>
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You also learn to pray that the bike tech is nearby if this same shit situation happens on race day. </div>
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You learn and you adjust </div>
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Sometimes you adjust your medications and that helps too.</div>
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sometimes you cry</div>
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sometimes you freak out in the middle of a swim and cry in your googles because your mind is telling you that mid swim is the perfect time for a meltdown and there is no way you can possibly cross that finish line. </div>
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So you call your husband and he talks you off the clif and takes you out for dinner. </div>
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You get up and you keep going. </div>
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Sometimes you eat a double double animal style and polish off a vanilla shake while promptly telling your mind to go fuck itself. </div>
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Sometimes you lose your eloquence and say fuck. </div>
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Sometimes you say it a lot. </div>
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<br /></div>
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<img alt="Image result for cursing meme" height="191" src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/9f/fe/26/9ffe2612d2a39dfdf5c8f4e62e7f1a7f.jpg" width="200" /></div>
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<br /></div>
</div>
MrsLEllishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02381987066413068555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4623172449848891471.post-36765639104152049192016-06-19T19:42:00.000-07:002016-06-19T19:42:07.542-07:0022 Weeks and Counting <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Fear is real and it is scary</div>
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For someone with anxiety, fear is common</div>
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worry is a constant state of mind</div>
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I am scared</div>
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Scared. Shitless.</div>
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Shit.Less.</div>
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One without shit</div>
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Lacking in fecal matter</div>
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The complete and utter absence of shit.</div>
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More scared than I have even been in my life for a race</div>
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140.6 miles</div>
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Are you fucking kidding me?</div>
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What in the actual fuck was I thinking?</div>
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(I may hit an all time high for use of the word fuck and or shit in this post) </div>
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(leave the easily offended at the door)</div>
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Fuck. </div>
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Fuck. </div>
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Fuck.</div>
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Fuckity Fucking Fuck. </div>
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*sigh*</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
ok. </div>
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(there is an actual point to this long and winding example of the multiple uses of the word fuck)</div>
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22 weeks until Ironman Arizona</div>
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2 weeks until official training starts</div>
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3 minutes until I ask Scott another question about training</div>
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4 minutes until I ask Scott another question about bike maintenance or rehab or the course or any other topic my brain can dissect and worry over. </div>
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<br /></div>
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I have a lot of reasons for loving my husband </div>
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lots. </div>
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His prior experience on the IMAZ course and general triathlon knowledge is near the top of the list right now. </div>
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His endless patience (even when I test it on a almost daily basis) with my never ending line of questions is another reason. </div>
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<br /></div>
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So what is there to worry about?</div>
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I've raced in Tempe before</div>
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I have completed two 70.3 races in the last 9 months</div>
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I have a training plan</div>
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I have run 26.2 miles before </div>
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I have swam 2 miles before </div>
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I have never ever fucking ever biked 112 miles</div>
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(nor have I ever wanted to)</div>
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<br /></div>
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Lots of things to worry about. </div>
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I actually started writing them out </div>
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and then I deleted them</div>
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and then I worried over deleting them </div>
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and I thought why is the hell am I writing down what I am scared of?</div>
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What good does that do?</div>
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instead I am going to re-read the sentences above. </div>
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I can do this.</div>
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if I train, work hard, and trust myself and my training then I can do this. </div>
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It will take everything I have. </div>
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I will need support from every corner of my life</div>
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I will cry</div>
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I will scream</div>
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I will curse the triathlon gods </div>
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I will forget body glide and chafe in places that don't see the light of day</div>
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I will push my body to new levels</div>
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I will spend more time in spandex than out of it</div>
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my weekends will consist of long training days</div>
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I will fall asleep in random places </div>
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I will laugh and enjoy the hell out of myself</div>
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I will appreciate the cool ass shit my body is capable of</div>
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<br /></div>
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I WILL be an IRONMAN</div>
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<br /></div>
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See ya in November Tempe, I'm coming for ya. </div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
</div>
MrsLEllishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02381987066413068555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4623172449848891471.post-14472653821202456962016-04-05T17:49:00.001-07:002016-04-05T17:49:23.600-07:00Ironman California 70.3<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Almost a year ago I decided I was going to find a 2nd 70.3 race</div>
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It was going to be a way to break up the training between Arizona 70.3 and Arizona 140.6</div>
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Smart choice right?</div>
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Strategically placed around 6 months between my two races</div>
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It was a way to keep my training up and stay motivated</div>
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I researched 70.3 races in the spring time with in driving distance of Phoenix</div>
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Oceanside fit the bill </div>
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plus... fruity drinks by the ocean</div>
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This was all decided before I had finished AZ 70.3</div>
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I was still blissfully unaware of what it takes to race for 8 hours </div>
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One of the first things I told Scott when I crossed the AZ finish line was </div>
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"Fuck this, I don't think I can do that twice"</div>
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He laughed it off and told me I could </div>
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I was in so much pain, so tired, and so hungry I was not happy that I had to do it all again in 6 months</div>
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but then a few days passed, my soreness worked its way out, I ate a pizza, drank some beer and decided yep, I should sign up for 3 more of these</div>
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and that is the exact moment I lost my damn mind. </div>
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<br /></div>
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Saturday morning I woke up at 3:45am </div>
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I found the appropriate meme for facebook</div>
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showered</div>
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grabbed my gear bag</div>
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and loaded into the car with some of my fellow members of #TDDS</div>
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or as we are better known "Team Do Dumb Shit" </div>
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Why do we have such an awesome name? what is the meaning behind it?</div>
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Well. </div>
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It's because we do dumb shit.</div>
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for fun</div>
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and we usually pay and hefty race fee for it</div>
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So we loaded up, made our way to transition and started to organize our gear. </div>
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I set up my gear, checked it, rechecked it, and checked it again</div>
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then moved it</div>
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because I had put it under the wrong tire</div>
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whoops. </div>
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I left transition to go put on my wetsuit and get some moral support from my husband </div>
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If you think that watching a corral full of 2500 athlete lube their nether regions is sexy just wait until you watch people slide into a wetsuit</div>
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its not easy</div>
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its not pretty</div>
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and in my case it requires Scott sticking his hand into my wetsuit and yanking</div>
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yes, <i>yanking</i> is the appropriate word</div>
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my husband has to yank a rubber suit onto his wifes body</div>
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sexy doesn't even begin to describe it</div>
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then once it is on and everything has settled I get to rub body glide on the outside of my suit </div>
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(so it comes off easier)</div>
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seriously the fun just keeps coming</div>
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Once my wetsuit was on </div>
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(a good 15 minute process)</div>
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I realized I had to pee</div>
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I also had an itch</div>
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and I had forgotten to lube up </div>
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I decided to hold out and wait until I got in the water to pee</div>
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the lube would have to wait until I was out of the water</div>
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We started lining up, I kissed Scott, hugged heather and Jolynn and jumped in line</div>
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I wasn't as nervous as I thought I would be as I got into line</div>
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it was a process I was familiar with and that soothed me</div>
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eventually my wave made it to the front and we jumped in, swam about 50 yards and waited for the gun to go off. </div>
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This was my first ocean swim and I was a little nervous that my wetsuit made me look like the seal shaped toy that gets thrown off the back in the boat during shark week </div>
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not a sleek seal either, a slow moving elephant seal. </div>
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perfect for a hungry shark</div>
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As I got to the start line I tried to put these thoughts to rest and focus on the fact that I was finally able to pee</div>
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(don't worry everyone else was too)</div>
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but as I started to pee I remembered one thing</div>
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The ankle part of my suit is very tight and the neck is not</div>
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also my back was starting to get very warm</div>
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sonofabitch</div>
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its coming out my neck hole</div>
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so here I am a confident and experienced swimmer </div>
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flailing around like a goddamn idiot as my own urine comes out the top of my wetsuit. </div>
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*sigh*</div>
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during my flailing the gun goes off</div>
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now I am in a whirlpool of thrashing swimmers who think the fastest way to swim is with donkey like side kicks and closed fists.</div>
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<i>and</i> I am still trying to get the pee to go down my leg</div>
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I started foward, found a rythym and started to do the job I came out to do. </div>
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Head down, high elbow, find the catch and keep moving foward</div>
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Sighting was harder than I expected and once we made the turn we were facing the sun so you couldn't see the bouys, the swells also picked up so if you were in the bottom of a swell you could not see shit</div>
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not the bouys, not the other swimmers, not the shark poised for an attack. </div>
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Nothing</div>
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I had some moments of panic but I kept after it and I came out of the water in 42 minutes</div>
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not a terrible time but not the time I was hoping for either</div>
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I was able to give Scott a high five as I came down the shoot</div>
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(the longest shoot ever btw)</div>
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I lubed up</div>
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Scott made sure to get footage on the GoPro</div>
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I grabbed my bike my food and ran out of transition</div>
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The bike portion is what I was most worried about</div>
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yes I had trained</div>
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yes I had done hills</div>
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but I had never done these hills. </div>
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its a beautiful course</div>
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It follows the Ocean for a large portion of it, you go through the rolling hills of Camp Pendelton, you get to see the Naval Hospital, the Military Planes, helicopters, all around you there is target practice going on, there are marines at every corner cheering you on, and there are 3 big MFing hills. </div>
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The 1st hill is at mile 31</div>
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at mile 30 you turn a corner and that big mother fucker comes into view</div>
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I was with a group of 10 or so cyclists at that point and I heard a few colorful descriptions of the big beast that lay ahead of us. </div>
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We all put our heads down, switched to the small ring and started making our way up it. </div>
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One lady told me that she heard the only way to make it up the hill was to start using the word Fuck like a comma. </div>
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I agreed. </div>
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I made it about 3/4's of the way up it and promptly decided, fuck this shit. </div>
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I got off my bike and walked my happy ass the rest of the way. </div>
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When I got to the top I was disappointed in myself. </div>
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I got back on and decided that whatever was ahead I was not getting off that bike until I was back in transition. </div>
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I made a few friends out there, screamed on the down hills, almost shit myself on the turns, and finally made it to the turn. </div>
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The turn meant we were done with hills and it was time to head downhill</div>
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the turn also meant you were facing an ugly head wind. </div>
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3 hours and 50 minutes after I left transition I made my way back. </div>
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Once again Scott was there to give me a high five over the gate</div>
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I changed my shoes, grabbed some more food and made my way onto the run course</div>
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The run course is 1.5 loops down the beach and around the amazing beach homes.</div>
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I ran, I walked, I was able to see my friends.</div>
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Scott walked with me for a large portion of it as did my dad. </div>
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I was desperate for company at that point and any chance to get my mind off running.</div>
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As I started in on my second loop I realized I had a chance to PR</div>
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If I kept pushing and held my pace I could take off 10-15 minutes</div>
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That was all the motivation I needed</div>
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As I made the last turn I had just over 2 miles to go and 35 minutes do it in for a PR</div>
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I grabbed some redbull and got to work</div>
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I was able to hold a 10:30 pace for the last 2 miles</div>
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As I approached the finish line I started running along side a guy about my age</div>
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He started talking to me and asking questions about what races I had done, if this was my first 70.3, etc. </div>
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We started talking and he explained that he had actually registered and trained for Oceanside 7 years before but right before the race he found out he had a brain tumor and had to have emergency surgery. Surgery he was not sure he would wake up from, after surgery he was not allowed to work out. Doctors were afraid that to much pressure on his heart or brain would lead to a seizure and possible death. Seven years later he was given the ok and this was his comeback race. I was in tears listening to this guy, here I was thinking about my knee pain and this badass next to me who didn't know if he was going to live the last 7 years was pushing his body down towards the finish line. He told me that he was probably going to cry, I told him its ok everyone does. </div>
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The people that you meet at an Ironman event are amazing. </div>
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I only spoke with him for a few minutes and I didn't get his name but he inspired me. </div>
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I pushed my way to that finish line and came in 13 minutes faster than I did at Arizona</div>
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I grinned at my family, grabbed my hat and medal and ran out to give them all the sweatiest of sweaty hugs. </div>
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<br /></div>
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I am again humbled by the Ironman gods. </div>
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I am motivated</div>
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I am scared</div>
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I am proud</div>
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I took 3 minutes off my swim, I added 10 minutes to my bike ride, and I took 30 minutes off my run.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I will see you in 9 Months Ironman. </div>
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Get ready because I am coming for ya. </div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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Big thanks to everyone who came out, my husband who supports me and is there for me even when times are hard, my family, my fellow members of #TDDS, my training partners, my sisters, my tribe of misfits, strangers with vaseline, the volunteers, the volunteers who let me use their sunblock, my coaches and my friends. </div>
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I can't express what your support and smiling faces mean to me out on the course. </div>
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I love you all </div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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and last... but not least </div>
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For Mark </div>
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<img alt="Image result for poop jokes" src="https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQ06VmgnDFM8eFxqqPoAlRCfuRXAWkHrxvUguAOzgoacU26kjYpMg" /></div>
</div>
MrsLEllishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02381987066413068555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4623172449848891471.post-50173520493334132192016-03-20T15:46:00.002-07:002016-03-20T15:46:51.542-07:00Peak Week <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Peak Week is here</div>
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I am officially done with my two longest runs and rides</div>
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60 mile bike ride x2</div>
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10 mile run x2</div>
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Nap x2hrs</div>
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Food?</div>
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Well. </div>
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It wasn't pretty and it involved a foot long from Subway</div>
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I have really tried to listen to my body these last few months</div>
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I eat when I am hungry</div>
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stop when I am full </div>
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last night?</div>
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not hungry </div>
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this morning? </div>
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Still not hungry</div>
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I had to eat anways because I was about to run 10 miles </div>
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I also ate out on my run </div>
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even though the last thing I wanted was another goo</div>
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then I swam 30 min in a very cold lake</div>
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another hour goes by </div>
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and then </div>
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BOOM</div>
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starvation</div>
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I could eat my arm</div>
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get me food now before I pillage the villagers</div>
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hurry save the children</div>
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pure starvation</div>
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<br /></div>
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I asked Scott as politely and nonchalantly as I could if he was also hungry</div>
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<br /></div>
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(inside my body was screaming that if we didn't get off this freeway now and I mean right now, get me to a drive thru and place a taco in my hand in the next 2 min I was going to come through the car window at somebody)</div>
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<br /></div>
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He responded with yeah, he could eat. </div>
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<br /></div>
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(inside I am rejoicing)</div>
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<br /></div>
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Me: Ok thanks, can we get subway?</div>
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<br /></div>
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Scott: Sure</div>
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*senses hangry approaching and swerves to get off the freeway*</div>
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<br /></div>
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Me: This. This. is why I love you. </div>
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(One of many reasons)</div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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Its been a few months since I last finished a foot long sandwich</div>
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I have found that when I actually take my time to eat and I am mindful of hunger/satiety cues that I eat a lot less</div>
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today was not the case</div>
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Today I listened</div>
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I slowed down</div>
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I recognized when I was getting full and decided to stop eating, drink some water and reassess in a hour. </div>
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well I killed a foot long sub</div>
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and I waited 2 hours instead of 1</div>
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why?</div>
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Nap time. </div>
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<br /></div>
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Swim Bike Run Eat Sleep and REPEAT! </div>
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<br /></div>
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Like I said... Peak week is here </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img height="300" src="http://i0.wp.com/www.amysaysso.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/tapirimage.jpg" width="400" /></div>
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<br /></div>
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I am probably the only person that thinks this is funny</div>
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But I think its REALLY funny so that counts. </div>
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(Taper is what comes after peak week)</div>
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(That animal is called a tapir)</div>
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(I've been told that jokes you have to explain probably aren't funny)</div>
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(Don't care)</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
MrsLEllishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02381987066413068555noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4623172449848891471.post-36920547862300463102016-03-08T17:49:00.001-08:002016-03-08T17:49:57.244-08:00Just a real quick panic attack. <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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How in the hell did peak week(s) get here?<u></u><u></u></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13.696px; text-align: center;">
If I had a panic button now would be the time to hit it<u></u><u></u></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13.696px; text-align: center;">
And scream<u></u><u></u></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13.696px; text-align: center;">
And let a minion run around yelling BeeeDoooBeeeDooo<u></u><u></u></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13.696px; text-align: center;">
All systems on deck<u></u><u></u></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13.696px; text-align: center;">
It’s almost go time<u></u><u></u></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13.696px; text-align: center;">
I have 2 more major weeks of training and then<u></u><u></u></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13.696px; text-align: center;">
Boom.<u></u><u></u></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13.696px; text-align: center;">
It’s here<u></u><u></u></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13.696px; text-align: center;">
Ironman Oceanside 70.3<u></u><u></u></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13.696px; text-align: center;">
I am a little* panicky<u></u><u></u></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13.696px; text-align: center;">
(*Extremely)<u></u><u></u></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13.696px; text-align: center;">
This is going to be a harder course<u></u><u></u></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13.696px; text-align: center;">
I had to re-learn how to swim<u></u><u></u></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13.696px; text-align: center;">
I cried last weekend on a scary downhill curve<u></u><u></u></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13.696px; text-align: center;">
I blew a tire<u></u><u></u></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13.696px; text-align: center;">
I have yet to hit 50 miles on my bike<u></u><u></u></div>
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*&!$@$!^@#*$^%#%@!!!!!<u></u><u></u></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13.696px; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13.696px; text-align: center;">
Be cool Lauren.<u></u><u></u></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13.696px; text-align: center;">
Be. Cool.<u></u><u></u></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13.696px; text-align: center;">
You got this.<u></u><u></u></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13.696px; text-align: center;">
If nothing else you get to be by the beach with your family and friends for your Birthday<u></u><u></u></div>
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Well, <i>they</i> get to sit by the beach for your birthday<u></u><u></u></div>
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<i>You</i> get to lube yourself up, slide into spandex and test the limits of the human to bike seat relationship<u></u><u></u></div>
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<br /></div>
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It’s Fine<u></u><u></u></div>
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<br /></div>
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It’s fine.<u></u><u></u></div>
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Seriously.<u></u><u></u></div>
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<br /></div>
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It’s fine.<u></u><u></u></div>
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<br /></div>
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&@@#@##($@$*&^%$#@!!!!<u></u><u></u></div>
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Be. Cool.<u></u><u></u></div>
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You got this.<u></u><u></u></div>
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You totally have this.<u></u><u></u></div>
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So what if you have been focusing the last 5 months on battling an eating disorder, completely changing your eating habits, going through treatment, seeing two therapists an RD, and waiting on a prescription for Xanax.<u></u><u></u></div>
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You have also been running faster<u></u><u></u></div>
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Swimming more efficiently<u></u><u></u></div>
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Using a coach<u></u><u></u></div>
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<br /></div>
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You can be an Ironman<u></u><u></u></div>
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This is a stepping stone to IMAZ<u></u><u></u></div>
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You can be a shaky, sweaty, eating disordered, anxiety ridden, proud, badass Ironman<u></u><u></u></div>
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Or half Ironman<u></u><u></u></div>
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<br /></div>
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Think of it as 8 hours to spend perfecting your use of the word &*%@<u></u><u></u></div>
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MrsLEllishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02381987066413068555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4623172449848891471.post-65561979101373714812016-02-29T18:52:00.002-08:002016-02-29T18:57:54.946-08:00Rambling <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I have an eating disorder<u></u><u></u></div>
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I know you are probably thinking I look more like an eating disorder survivor<u></u><u></u></div>
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I am not anorexic<u></u><u></u></div>
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I am not bulimic<u></u><u></u></div>
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I am Eating Disorder Non-Specified<u></u><u></u></div>
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Did you know that was a thing?<u></u><u></u></div>
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I didn’t<u></u><u></u></div>
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I thought you were either too skinny to be healthy<u></u><u></u></div>
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Or too heavy to be healthy<u></u><u></u></div>
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Or a crossfitter<u></u><u></u></div>
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No in between<u></u><u></u></div>
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I figured I would slide nicely into a binge eating/food aggression category<u></u><u></u></div>
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Do you eat full pizzas by yourself?<u></u><u></u></div>
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Yes.<u></u><u></u></div>
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Have you ever sacrificed a taco bell menu to the gods of all things Hangry?<u></u><u></u></div>
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Hell yes.<u></u><u></u></div>
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Are you willing to share your food?<u></u><u></u></div>
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Nope.<u></u><u></u></div>
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Turns out all these feelings I had about food put me in a separate category<u></u><u></u></div>
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I eat, but every meal<u></u><u></u></div>
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(unless it was Kale and Chicken)<u></u><u></u></div>
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Results in shame, guilt, fear of gaining weight, fear of going the other direction and not eating<u></u><u></u></div>
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As well all know this came to a head a few months ago<u></u><u></u></div>
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I have this amazing team of people now who’s only goal is for me to lead a joyous life free from the constraints of anxiety, body image issues, and food based shame.<u></u><u></u></div>
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Cool, right?<u></u><u></u></div>
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I know that my family, my friends, my circle of people have wanted that for me for years<u></u><u></u></div>
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I have wanted it for years<u></u><u></u></div>
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And now I have this team of people to help make that happen<u></u><u></u></div>
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A therapist (2 actually), a registered dietitian, my PCP, and soon an psychiatrist to help with the anxiety<u></u><u></u></div>
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Writing it out makes it seem like a lot…<u></u><u></u></div>
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But I want this shit to be over and done with.<u></u><u></u></div>
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And I have all these amazing people behind me supporting me like my husband, my parents, my family, my friends, the dogs (they are not sure what to do but wagging their tails seems to help)<u></u><u></u></div>
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One thing that my husband has told me that really sticks out is that shame thrives on darkness, it can’t survive in the light.<u></u><u></u></div>
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So screw shame.<u></u><u></u></div>
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I am done feeling guilty about what I eat or how much I eat.<u></u><u></u></div>
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I am done wondering if everyone at the table is thinking about what a poor food decision I just made<u></u><u></u></div>
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“Geez, she going to have another breadstick? I thought she was a triathlete or something”<u></u><u></u></div>
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(not that anybody has ever said that but my brain thinks they are)<u></u><u></u></div>
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<br /></div>
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You want to know the best part of this?<u></u><u></u></div>
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No more fucking dieting.<u></u><u></u></div>
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If the problem is dieting it can’t also be the answer<u></u><u></u></div>
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I get to eat what I want<u></u><u></u></div>
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When I want<u></u><u></u></div>
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I don’t have to run 20 miles to eat a slice of pizza<u></u><u></u></div>
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I can have pizza any damn time I feel like it<u></u><u></u></div>
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Or egg burritos<u></u><u></u></div>
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Or god forbid sour cream on my chipotle bowl<u></u><u></u></div>
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Or *<b>gasp</b>* a chipotle <i>burrito</i><u></u><u></u></div>
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Yep.<u></u><u></u></div>
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Pizza loses its power when it’s not some forbidden item that you can never eat<u></u><u></u></div>
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If you know you can have it all the time then you stop acting like it’s the last supper every time you get near one.<u></u><u></u></div>
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I would eat a whole pizza no problem and I would rationalize it as either<u></u><u></u></div>
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1. its ok because I ran/biked/swim a crazy amount today<u></u><u></u></div>
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Or<u></u><u></u></div>
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2. this is the last pizza I will ever eat because starting <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_223901649" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">tomorrow</span></span> I am really going to stick to *<b>insert fad diet name</b>* and this could be my last pizza<u></u><u></u></div>
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So guess what? I am eating pizza<u></u><u></u></div>
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I have had more pizza in the last 3 months that I did in the last year<u></u><u></u></div>
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But! I stop when I am full, I slow down and work on recognizing my hunger/satiety cues and I don’t go overboard<u></u><u></u></div>
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That is the “normal” way to eat<u></u><u></u></div>
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Which most people are thinking, duh.<u></u><u></u></div>
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But I have never been normal<u></u><u></u></div>
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At some point in time something made me believe that the way I ate was shameful<u></u><u></u></div>
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So I started to hide my eating habits<u></u><u></u></div>
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(my parents used find me in the pantry at night)<u></u><u></u></div>
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what a weirdo.</div>
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I ate taco bell in parking lots and threw away the evidence before I got home<u></u><u></u></div>
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Just because I didn’t want to disappoint people<u></u><u></u></div>
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(What?! saying that outloud sounds capital K Ka-razy)</div>
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I was worried, so worried that that people would judge what I was eating or they would be disappointed in my food choices that my anxiety manifested itself into physical symptoms. </div>
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Physical symptoms! </div>
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Seriously Lauren?</div>
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Yep. </div>
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Anxiety that could choke a Donkey.</div>
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I don't even know what that means but it suuuuuucks. </div>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;"> So now I am working on eating mindfully</span></div>
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<u></u></div>
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I eat when I am hungry </div>
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(not just because the food is there)</div>
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stop when I am full<u></u><u></u></div>
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(not when I hate myself)</div>
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There are no good foods or bad foods<u></u><u></u></div>
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No “clean” eating<u></u><u></u></div>
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If you make such a big deal to eat “clean” food then you are telling yourself that the other food is dirty<u></u><u></u></div>
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Hmm. No thanks<u></u><u></u></div>
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More guilt? More Anxiety?<u></u><u></u></div>
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I’m gonna pass<u></u><u></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;">I don't want you to think its easy and that I have had some giant revelation. </span></div>
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every meal is a fight still but I am creating new habits and that takes time. </div>
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<br /></div>
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So where does this rambling end?<u></u><u></u></div>
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No clue<u></u><u></u></div>
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The fat kid is out and wandering around in a daze<u></u><u></u></div>
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(He is very confused by the abundance of pizza and pancakes)<u></u><u></u></div>
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Sometimes he still wants to shove donuts in my face as fast as he can<u></u><u></u></div>
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But now we both step back, take a deep breath, eat the donut and move on with our day<u></u><u></u></div>
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Sometimes we don't. Sometimes we surface 10 minutes later with powdered sugar on our face. </div>
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balance.</div>
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He’s happy, I am working my way towards happy, and every day we keep working<u></u><u></u></div>
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We don’t succeed every day but we keep at it. <u></u><u></u></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<img src="http://images.memes.com/meme/426742" /></div>
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sorry bout that. </div>
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<br /></div>
</div>
MrsLEllishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02381987066413068555noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4623172449848891471.post-25069205269274466092015-12-31T07:32:00.001-08:002015-12-31T07:32:03.511-08:00The 365 Day Do Over<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: center;">
Its New Years Eve </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Time to set new goal</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Make plans</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and think about what we all hope to accomplish in the coming year</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Its the annual 365 do over. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
For the last few years my goal has always been to lose weight and get healthy</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
weight loss is the unattainable goal that always seems just out of reach for me</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
My weight and height firmly place me in the obese category</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
bordering on morbidly obese</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
now, this little bastard chart doesn't take into account that I can swim bike and run 70.3 miles</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It doesn't know that I workout 6 days a week</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
or that my quads are not quads at all but more like quadzillas </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
logic says that a number on a scale doesn't mean shit. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It doesn't tell you that I am wife, a daughter, a sister, dog mom, foster dog mom, horse lover, or an Ironman (half). </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
but for years that number has beaten the crap out of me</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
its too high</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img 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" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(sorry, I had to)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
that ever changing number and the little bastard inner fat kid have led me around </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
eat this, don't eat that,this will make you gain weight, here is some lettuce, just kidding lets have cake. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
My goals for 2016 are not to lose weight</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
my goal is to break those ties</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
the fat kid has been given his eviction notice </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
now its time to remove the scale</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I am not a number</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I am not a size</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
My name is Lauren</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I am who I say I am </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
not what a chart says I am. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So bring it 2016, I am going to crush you. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Ironman Oceanside 70.3</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Ironman Arizona 70.3</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Ironman Arizona 140.6</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I will be an Ironman</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I will be happy</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I will be balanced</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I will treat people with respect and love</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I will work on being as nice to strange humans as I am to strange animals</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I will be more outgoing</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I will not hide in my house because I don't like how my clothes fit</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I will be me</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I will be strong</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I will be a badass</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and I will work hard. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
see ya 2015, don't let the door hit you in the ass on the way out. </div>
</div>
MrsLEllishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02381987066413068555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4623172449848891471.post-2924348324675904462015-12-26T09:54:00.000-08:002015-12-26T09:54:05.593-08:00Eviction Notice <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I have started working on fixing my issues with food from the inside out </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I want to have a healthy relationship with food</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I want to enjoy it with out stress or guilt</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I want to be healthy</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I want to be happy</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and I don't want that happiness tied to what I did or didn't eat this week </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So I am getting help</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I have tried everything I know</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I have read all the books</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Studied the theories</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I have tried this diet</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and that diet</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and that one too</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I have worked my body to exhaustion and pushed it beyond limits</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
but I am still overweight and I am tired</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
tired of trying everything</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
tired of stressing out </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
tired of food anxiety</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
tired of anxiety in general </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Part of my wishes I could just say fuck it. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
this is me</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I am overweight, I am squishy. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I can also run a shit ton of miles, out swim most people, and I am going to be an Ironman</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
but that little voice, that asshole fat kid whispers that its not enough</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I am not enough unless I can be an Ironman who only eat kale and chicken</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I see the ridiculousness in that statement</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
but when I am not strong enough</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
when I am tired</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
when I am sad</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
the fat kid goes from a whisper to a scream</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
the fat kid has had a long enough reign</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
its time to shut him up for good</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and its not about losing weight</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
if this is me and I can say that I am eating right 80% of the time</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
that I am doing everything in my power to train for my races</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
then I need to learn to accept that</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I need to learn to accept me</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
fuck the fat kid. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
be healthy</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
be me</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So its time to bring in the big guns to give the fat kid his eviction notice</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Nutritionist</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
&</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Therapist</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(specializes in disordered eating)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(Please.Please.Please do not worry about me. I am happy with this decision and I am sticking with it. No I am not ready to talk about it, no this is not anybody fault, nobody gets to place any blame or feel pity. This is not oh poor Lauren. This is positive.)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I have been struggling with sharing this information the last couple weeks. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Not because I am ashamed, scared, or worried what people will think. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I have worried about that crap for long enough.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I just prefer my privacy</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
BUT... if one person out there is unhappy, sad, and struggling. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I hope you are able to find someone to talk to. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
If one person finds comfort in knowing that they are not alone</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
they are not the only one struggling</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
they are not the only one who feels like they can't do it alone anymore</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
then putting myself out there is worth it. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
MrsLEllishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02381987066413068555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4623172449848891471.post-24177246237066998082015-12-13T11:34:00.000-08:002015-12-13T11:34:02.677-08:00Celebrating <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: center;">
Sometimes I get wrapped up in small details</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I can't see the forest for all the trees</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I complain</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I bitch</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I moan</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I whine</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
ok.. I whine a lot</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
There is a bike seat up my ass</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Its cold</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I am sore</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I am tired</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I.WANT.PIZZA.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The problem is that when I focus on these small insignificant details I miss the big picture</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I am able to ride 35+ miles on a bike</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I can run</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I can swim</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I can afford groceries and pizza</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So as I was berating myself for not recognizing all of this as I whined about the cold </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(Internal mental ass kicking is something I excel at)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I thought about how lucky I am </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Am I perfect?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
No..no...NO. Far from it</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Am I a pro athlete?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
HA. no... but that doesn't mean I need to beat myself up for not keeping a 25mph pace</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But I do have the ability to do things that not everyone can</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I am able to do these things at distances most won't even attempt</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So today I celebrate the ability. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Yes that is a very general and broad statement </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This is me looking at the forest </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
MrsLEllishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02381987066413068555noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4623172449848891471.post-42675355961183530332015-12-02T17:53:00.000-08:002015-12-02T17:53:29.476-08:00The 12 days of Christmas<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: center;">
I love the holidays</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
for me its 98% about the time with family</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
the other half is about the food</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
oh, sweet baby jesus. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The food. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
so without further ado, I bring you Laurens 12 days of Christmas</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 18.6667px; text-align: left;">On the first day of Christmas</span><br style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 18.6667px; text-align: left;" /><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 18.6667px; text-align: left;">The Fat Kid sent to me:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">A Half Ironman entry fee</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 18.6667px; text-align: left;" /><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 18.6667px;">On the second day of Christmas</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 18.6667px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">The Fat Kid sent to me:</span></div>
</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 18.6667px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">2 Pairs Of Spandex</span></div>
</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 18.6667px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">and a Half Ironman Entry Fee</span></div>
</span><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 18.6667px;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 18.6667px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">On the third day of Christmas</span></div>
</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 18.6667px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">The Fat Kid sent to me:</span></div>
</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 18.6667px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">3 Barros Pizzas</span></div>
</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 18.6667px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">2 pairs of Spandex</span></div>
</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 18.6667px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">and a </span><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">Half Ironman Entry Fee</span></div>
</span><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 18.6667px;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 18.6667px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">On the fourth day of Christmas</span></div>
</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 18.6667px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">The fat kid sent to me:</span></div>
</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 18.6667px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">4 Fanny packs</span></div>
</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 18.6667px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">3 Barros Pizzas</span></div>
</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 18.6667px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">2 pairs of Spandex</span></div>
</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 18.6667px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">and a </span><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">Half Ironman Entry Fee</span></div>
</span><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 18.6667px;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 18.6667px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">On the fifth day of Christmas</span></div>
</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 18.6667px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">The fat kid sent to me:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">5 Sweat stain Rings</span></div>
</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 18.6667px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">4 Fanny packs</span></div>
</span><span style="font-size: 18.6667px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">3 Barros Pizzas</span></div>
</span><span style="font-size: 18.6667px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">2 pairs of Spandex</span></div>
</span><span style="font-size: 18.6667px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">and a </span><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">Half Ironman Entry Fee</span></div>
</span></div>
</span><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 18.6667px;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 18.6667px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">On the sixth day of Christmas</span></div>
</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 18.6667px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">The Fat Kid sent to me:</span></div>
</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 18.6667px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">6 Guilt trips a laying</span></div>
</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 18.6667px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">5 Sweat stain Rings</span></div>
</span><span style="font-size: 18.6667px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">4 Fanny packs</span></div>
</span><span style="font-size: 18.6667px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">3 Barros Pizzas</span></div>
</span><span style="font-size: 18.6667px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">2 pairs of Spandex</span></div>
</span><span style="font-size: 18.6667px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">and a </span><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">Half Ironman Entry Fee</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px;"><br /></span></div>
</span></div>
</span></div>
</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 18.6667px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">On the seventh day of Christmas</span></div>
</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 18.6667px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">The fat kid sent to me:</span></div>
</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 18.6667px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">7 drills a Swimming</span></div>
</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 18.6667px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">6 Guilt trips a laying</span></div>
</span><span style="font-size: 18.6667px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">5 Sweat stain Rings</span></div>
</span><span style="font-size: 18.6667px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">4 Fanny packs</span></div>
</span><span style="font-size: 18.6667px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">3 Barros Pizzas</span></div>
</span><span style="font-size: 18.6667px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">2 pairs of Spandex</span></div>
</span><span style="font-size: 18.6667px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">and a </span><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">Half Ironman Entry Fee</span></div>
</span></div>
</span></div>
</span></div>
</span><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 18.6667px;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 18.6667px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">On the eighth day of Christmas</span></div>
</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 18.6667px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">The fat kid sent to me:</span></div>
</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 18.6667px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">8 beers a drinking</span></div>
</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 18.6667px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">7 drills a Swimming</span></div>
</span><span style="font-size: 18.6667px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">6 Guilt trips a laying</span></div>
</span><span style="font-size: 18.6667px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">5 Sweat stain Rings</span></div>
</span><span style="font-size: 18.6667px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">4 Fanny packs</span></div>
</span><span style="font-size: 18.6667px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">3 Barros Pizzas</span></div>
</span><span style="font-size: 18.6667px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">2 pairs of Spandex</span></div>
</span><span style="font-size: 18.6667px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">and a </span><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">Half Ironman Entry Fee</span></div>
</span></div>
</span></div>
</span></div>
</span></div>
</span><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 18.6667px;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 18.6667px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">On the ninth day of Christmas</span></div>
</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 18.6667px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">The Fat Kid sent to me:</span></div>
</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 18.6667px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">9 empty Gu's</span></div>
</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 18.6667px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">8 beers a drinking</span></div>
</span><span style="font-size: 18.6667px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">7 drills a Swimming</span></div>
</span><span style="font-size: 18.6667px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">6 Guilt trips a laying</span></div>
</span><span style="font-size: 18.6667px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">5 Sweat stain Rings</span></div>
</span><span style="font-size: 18.6667px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">4 Fanny packs</span></div>
</span><span style="font-size: 18.6667px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">3 Barros Pizzas</span></div>
</span><span style="font-size: 18.6667px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">2 pairs of Spandex</span></div>
</span><span style="font-size: 18.6667px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">and a </span><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">Half Ironman Entry Fee</span></div>
</span></div>
</span></div>
</span></div>
</span></div>
</span></div>
</span><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 18.6667px;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 18.6667px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">On the tenth day of Christmas</span></div>
</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 18.6667px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">The Fat kid sent to me:</span></div>
</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 18.6667px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">10 tacos a eating </span></div>
</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 18.6667px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">9 empty Gu's</span></div>
</span><span style="font-size: 18.6667px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">8 beers a drinking</span></div>
</span><span style="font-size: 18.6667px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">7 drills a Swimming</span></div>
</span><span style="font-size: 18.6667px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">6 Guilt trips a laying</span></div>
</span><span style="font-size: 18.6667px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">5 Sweat stain Rings</span></div>
</span><span style="font-size: 18.6667px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">4 Fanny packs</span></div>
</span><span style="font-size: 18.6667px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">3 Barros Pizzas</span></div>
</span><span style="font-size: 18.6667px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">2 pairs of Spandex</span></div>
</span><span style="font-size: 18.6667px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">and a </span><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">Half Ironman Entry Fee</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px;"><br /></span></div>
</span></div>
</span></div>
</span></div>
</span></div>
</span></div>
</span></div>
</span><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 18.6667px;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 18.6667px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">On the eleventh day of Christmas</span></div>
</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 18.6667px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">The fat kid sent to me:</span></div>
</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 18.6667px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">11 Cow bells ringing</span></div>
</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 18.6667px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">10 tacos a eating </span></div>
</span><span style="font-size: 18.6667px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">9 empty Gu's</span></div>
</span><span style="font-size: 18.6667px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">8 beers a drinking</span></div>
</span><span style="font-size: 18.6667px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">7 drills a Swimming</span></div>
</span><span style="font-size: 18.6667px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">6 Guilt trips a laying</span></div>
</span><span style="font-size: 18.6667px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">5 Sweat stain Rings</span></div>
</span><span style="font-size: 18.6667px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">4 Fanny packs</span></div>
</span><span style="font-size: 18.6667px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">3 Barros Pizzas</span></div>
</span><span style="font-size: 18.6667px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">2 pairs of Spandex</span></div>
</span><span style="font-size: 18.6667px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">and a </span><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">Half Ironman Entry Fee</span></div>
</span></div>
</span></div>
</span></div>
</span></div>
</span></div>
</span></div>
</span></div>
</span><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 18.6667px;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 18.6667px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">On the first day of Christmas</span></div>
</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 18.6667px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">The fat kid sent to me:</span></div>
</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 18.6667px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">12 Miles a running</span></div>
</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 18.6667px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">11 Cow bells ringing</span></div>
</span><span style="font-size: 18.6667px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">10 tacos a eating </span></div>
</span><span style="font-size: 18.6667px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">9 empty Gu's</span></div>
</span><span style="font-size: 18.6667px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">8 beers a drinking</span></div>
</span><span style="font-size: 18.6667px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">7 drills a Swimming</span></div>
</span><span style="font-size: 18.6667px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">6 Guilt trips a laying</span></div>
</span><span style="font-size: 18.6667px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">5 Sweat stain Rings</span></div>
</span><span style="font-size: 18.6667px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">4 Fanny packs</span></div>
</span><span style="font-size: 18.6667px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">3 Barros Pizzas</span></div>
</span><span style="font-size: 18.6667px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">2 pairs of Spandex</span></div>
</span><span style="font-size: 18.6667px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">and a </span><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">Half Ironman Entry Fee</span></div>
</span></div>
</span></div>
</span></div>
</span></div>
</span></div>
</span></div>
</span></div>
</span></div>
</span></div>
MrsLEllishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02381987066413068555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4623172449848891471.post-38510047137042513722015-10-27T18:50:00.001-07:002015-10-27T18:50:55.309-07:00Wrangling the Fat Kid back into the Closet <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Hey everybody. </div>
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Sorry about last week's guest blogger</div>
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The fat kid has no filter</div>
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The good news is that after a week out I was able to lead him back into the the closet like a tired toddler to bed. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
He tried to put up a fight but half way through our bed time story of pizza without calories he went right down.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So what happens when the fat kid is out? </div>
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Well. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Pizza </div>
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Beer</div>
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Wine</div>
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Champagne</div>
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Cookies </div>
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Fudge </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Wings</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Potato skins</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Artichoke dip </div>
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More pizza</div>
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3 rolls of rolaids </div>
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More beer</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Bacon</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Tums</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
More pizza</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Pasta</div>
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Fast food x4</div>
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And finally more tums. </div>
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<br /></div>
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Good lord I think I burned my esophagus with marinara and grease. </div>
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I try to not let the fat kid out too often because, well....<br />
<br />
he turns this...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqoLHzWMQ7biZEltnYUg9txB_4bP8c6EiiUnafOKhrCapM1-vfkncjIFuXMO0frx67Qlxg5_LezunDGwgmzKFuC2vqYZSximV_PlUA-EMUqa35Txr-YnxjGhfsy7ywzXijAHT6lhkaWTg/s1600/12143330_10101233294659688_3401750860337150063_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqoLHzWMQ7biZEltnYUg9txB_4bP8c6EiiUnafOKhrCapM1-vfkncjIFuXMO0frx67Qlxg5_LezunDGwgmzKFuC2vqYZSximV_PlUA-EMUqa35Txr-YnxjGhfsy7ywzXijAHT6lhkaWTg/s320/12143330_10101233294659688_3401750860337150063_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
into this....<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK9x7ArS0i4ak9NEZMN_wuz8dRiXoFMYvUHbn0OTzym0MI8x4Y3hb3PB29fxMk5ThVV8GJKn20F6RS06gwXy4Fy1kLiefec4D2hCSekU6VLb8Wyg9tyhX19esDLuLU0aPoOGJrJCWDzgE/s1600/20151023_195342.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK9x7ArS0i4ak9NEZMN_wuz8dRiXoFMYvUHbn0OTzym0MI8x4Y3hb3PB29fxMk5ThVV8GJKn20F6RS06gwXy4Fy1kLiefec4D2hCSekU6VLb8Wyg9tyhX19esDLuLU0aPoOGJrJCWDzgE/s1600/20151023_195342.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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You get the idea. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Actually Heather was able to get a rare picture of the fat kid in his natural habitat. I don't think this has ever been done before. You have to very carefully lure him out with pizza and cheap beer. You have to be careful because he us camera shy and will hide under empty food wrappers if disturbed. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEire98y0mZz9XueGSqvx-jTs7kdXKv3tjuhU2631pN0UXjUI9aJ4Gq4XAi3j-dvH-JNO1fox759Xvo2eqWayv5Z4H4uKxlwHdvbUql9MxM-JbNMi8ic-is2zoUOB1kwFZ-huD9jkW8cxtI/s1600/1604571_10101233632537578_8773796662988358644_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="176" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEire98y0mZz9XueGSqvx-jTs7kdXKv3tjuhU2631pN0UXjUI9aJ4Gq4XAi3j-dvH-JNO1fox759Xvo2eqWayv5Z4H4uKxlwHdvbUql9MxM-JbNMi8ic-is2zoUOB1kwFZ-huD9jkW8cxtI/s320/1604571_10101233632537578_8773796662988358644_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Yep. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
No other words.<br />
<br />
I did run 13.1 miles though<br />
Through some of the most beautiful scenery I have ever seen.<br />
Northern Michigan is gorgeous<br />
<br />
seriously...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfHjrrt74svb797OGt6IMrfZ6bvkYi-K6fxSBf8h18YLzNiT-TEzxIx6Ptae0AbAo6xwL9N-yEscyMONKQRA6lH8UHxV-twsybPQYKCOvzm_NjLrlVMVSHmPKP2F7Yrl_dnE8Qhh4oIyk/s1600/12079116_10101234086926978_3685262069603059299_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfHjrrt74svb797OGt6IMrfZ6bvkYi-K6fxSBf8h18YLzNiT-TEzxIx6Ptae0AbAo6xwL9N-yEscyMONKQRA6lH8UHxV-twsybPQYKCOvzm_NjLrlVMVSHmPKP2F7Yrl_dnE8Qhh4oIyk/s320/12079116_10101234086926978_3685262069603059299_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So now the fat kid is tuckered out and sleeping. I have prepped my food, gone to the gym, and caught up on the voice. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I have 5 months until Oceanside and I don't have to jump right back into training so I decided to work on strength training. It's been so long since I just lifted that I didn't know what to do. I just wandered around the gym picking up weights here and there, I'm sure looking like a complete imbecile but hey every gym has to have one.<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
MrsLEllishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02381987066413068555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4623172449848891471.post-37869505135448050582015-10-21T10:31:00.002-07:002015-10-21T10:31:13.731-07:00Living in a Post Ironman World: Guest Blogger<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Hey everyone.<u></u><u></u></div>
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It’s the Fat Kid talking today<u></u><u></u></div>
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Lauren kept mumbling about calories, heartburn, and something about a food hangover<u></u><u></u></div>
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So I locked her in a closet<u></u><u></u></div>
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This is my week!<u></u><u></u></div>
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I never get to have fun<u></u><u></u></div>
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Like… ever.<u></u><u></u></div>
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Every time I want a hostess cupcake she turns it around to read the label<u></u><u></u></div>
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Heaven forbid I recommend swapping greek yogurt for froyo<u></u><u></u></div>
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When I do manage to get out I have to grab and eat what I can before she realizes what has happened and puts down whatever fried dough object I was working on.<u></u><u></u></div>
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She can be a real bitch like that.<u></u><u></u></div>
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<br /></div>
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I think she has fallen into a post-race slump<u></u><u></u></div>
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She doesn’t know who she is or what to do with her life now that she has a break from training<u></u><u></u></div>
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I keep telling her (you have to say it real slow and wait for the comprehension to come)<u></u><u></u></div>
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THHHHIISSS IS A COOOUUUCH<u></u><u></u></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13.696px; text-align: center;">
YOOOUUU SIIIIIT ON ITTTT<u></u><u></u></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13.696px; text-align: center;">
Watch daisy and cally, they know what they are doing.<u></u><u></u></div>
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NO. Stop. Quit trying to set up the bike trainer.<u></u><u></u></div>
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Just sit.<u></u><u></u></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13.696px; text-align: center;">
Sit.<u></u><u></u></div>
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Goddammit, no, don’t clean the house<u></u><u></u></div>
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For the love of Christ woman, sit the hell down.<u></u><u></u></div>
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Every now and then I find her swiffering the house with her Ironman medal on<u></u><u></u></div>
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What.a.weirdo.<u></u><u></u></div>
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I tried locking her in the laundry room<u></u><u></u></div>
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(Don’t worry, I left a snickers and a piddle pad)<u></u><u></u></div>
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But when I went to check on her, all the laundry was done.<u></u><u></u></div>
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I finally managed to get her to lay in bed with a Harry Potter book but she fell asleep<u></u><u></u></div>
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At 7pm!!!<u></u><u></u></div>
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The Good news is while she is distracted or locked up<u></u><u></u></div>
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I get full run of the fridge<u></u><u></u></div>
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I managed to push past the flax seeds, greek yogurt, and salad to the severely neglected beer section<u></u><u></u></div>
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Beer on a work night, she won’t know what hit her.<u></u><u></u></div>
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Sunday we both agreed on a sausage and double cheese pizza with Mint chocolate chip ice cream<u></u><u></u></div>
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Monday I snuck the pizza leftovers into her lunch bag<u></u><u></u></div>
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Monday night an enabler (my favorite people) slipped some chocolate chip cookies into the house<u></u><u></u></div>
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Pizza, beer, and cookies… oh my!<u></u><u></u></div>
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This weekend we are going out of town, there will more beer, more pizza, and a run or 2.<u></u><u></u></div>
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There is a rumor of fudge<u></u><u></u></div>
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And the past has always proven that vacations = churros<u></u><u></u></div>
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Maybe some wine (you know, for our health)<u></u><u></u></div>
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I think I will pack the elastic waist pants and leave Lauren at home.</div>
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MrsLEllishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02381987066413068555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4623172449848891471.post-22955338246589436922015-10-19T13:46:00.002-07:002015-10-19T13:46:41.217-07:00Lauren Ellis, YOU are HALF AN IRONMAN<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Its the day after my Half Ironman. I am actually not too tired (I went to bed at 7), my feet are still a little tender, and my knees and shoulders are pretty achy. I am surprised that my shoulders, neck, and biceps are the most sore parts of my body (but they also didn’t get the ice bath). So how did I get here? Here being Monday as I eat pizza and drink my 8<sup>th</sup> cup of coffee (just for the creamer). Well it’s a funny story.<u></u><u></u></div>
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9 Months ago I sat in a van with 6 other people, little to no sleep, in the middle of running 200+ miles. Let me say that this is not the time that decisions should be made, you are all hopped up on endorphins, lack of sleep, and compression socks. I, with 2 of my friends decided that we were going to do Ironman Arizona 70.3 and we were taking Scott with us. When you are 9 months out and lacking sleep 70.3 miles doesn’t sound like a big deal. It is a big deal… ask the blister on my big toe.<u></u><u></u></div>
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So we trained. And trained. And trained. Bitched and trained some more (as the boys looked on and laughed from the donut shop). We woke up before the sun, we forced clif bars down while we stared lovingly at beer bottles, we went to bed early instead of going out with friends, and we enjoyed 99.9% of it (0.1% just wanted to sleep in and drink a beer).<u></u><u></u></div>
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It felt like race day took <a href="http://for.ev.er/" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">FOR.EV.ER</a>. to get here but also somehow snuck up on us. I told Heather about a week ago, I can’t believe it’s only a week away… I somehow want to wait another 3 months but I also want to be done and crossing that finish line.<u></u><u></u></div>
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Saturday I attained my goal of doing as little as possible while eating as much as possible. I checked my bike in, picked up more nutrition, packed my bags, and then sat back to enjoy my pre-race meal and watch football. I went to bed around 7pm and slept amazingly until around 3:00am. I woke at 3am rested and feeling pumped, I still had another hour before I needed to get up so I willed myself to go back to sleep. That was a bad idea, I ended up having a bad nightmare that I had gotten off course at my race and it took my two days to complete it. I was furious at everyone in my dream!! I woke up mad and ready to study my race maps for the 100<sup>th</sup> time.<u></u><u></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.696px;">We packed the car, I ate my oatmeal in mostly silence and drank my last cup of black coffee. When we arrived in Tempe the crowds and excitement started to get to me. The energy was so uplifting I was ready to jump in the lake right then and there. It looked like the weather was going to hold and we started laying out our transitions. Of course I had my normal lube up the chassis moment. Spandex? Check. Lube? Check. Hand in pants? Check. Family trying to take pictures of their athlete who is behind you while you have your hand in your pants? Double check. Dignity? Long gone my friend, long gone </span><br />
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Once transition closed we were lined up in a corral by wave, luckily Heather was in my corral so I was able to have her as my safety blanket. The music was loud, people were excited and because I have done 3 triathlons at this venue everything felt normal. I wasn’t nervous, this wasn’t anything new. Ok I had to get in 70.3 miles but I knew this patch of concrete, I knew the stairs, and I was used to the swim start. I just needed to swim a mile and get to my bike, I knew that’s when the real work would start. I am swimmer by nature and sometimes I feel like my race doesn’t start until I am out of the water.<u></u><u></u></div>
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Before we knew it they were calling our wave up the stairs where we would jump feet first into the drudges of Tempe Town Lake. I lined myself up at the front so I would get a good posittion and not have to fight as much to get out in front. We had 5 minutes before our gun went off and I was shoved, pushed, and kicked more in that 5 minutes that I have been during an entire swim. Girls were vicious about getting to the front. I had one girl grab my should and push me behind her. Now I am not a fighter, I say sorry if somebody accidently knocks into me but I was ready to pull off my hoop earings and put my hair into a ponytail for a fight. I was so mad. I don’t see the need to push and shove just to get to the front. Much less in a body of water surrounded 45 other people. I decided to let people shove and kick as I worked my way towards the back. The gun went off and off we went. I found a nice open spot to the outside where I was free to swim without worrying about other people, I put my face in the water and did the job I had come out there to do. My swim felt good, my pull was long and felt strong (Down to get the friction on? Sorry. That was bad.) . I wasn’t looking at my watch and just went with feel. The water was choppy, it was like getting thrown around in a washing machine. I eventually started to pass cap colors that had jumped in before me and made my way to the front. I knew I wasn’t going to be breaking any records or finishing in the top of my age group but I still wanted to have a solid time. I ended up getting out of the water in 45 minutes. I couldn’t belive that, that is 15 additonal minutes to any swim I have done before. I talked to a few others and they said the same thing, choppy water and longer than anticipated. I climbed up the step, sucked in my stomach (I had decided to just wear my shorts and a sports bra) gave a wave to the camera and ran into transition.<u></u><u></u></div>
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I like to take my time in transition, it lets me catch my breath and refocus on my next task. I dried off, grabbed some food, grabbed my bike and headed out. The bike felt really good, I knew this course and I was ready to push myself and make it my bitch. The universe must have heard that and thought meh, lets drop her down a few pegs. I made the climb up mill and noticed that bikers were not coming back on Mill, they were going under the bridge. Waaaaait a second, we have never gone under the bridge before, whats under the bridge? Trolls are under bridges… sonofabitch. So I went under the bridge, turns out there are no trolls but a very nice couple dressed in unicorn leggings with horse heads on, dancing and cheering. On the other side of the bridge is a ass kicker of a hill. Screw that hill, stupid hill with its stupid face. Everytime I came around that corner there were 10-15 people out of the saddle, huffin, puffing, and using the F word like a comma. At the top of the hill was a very nice volunteer yelling at the athletes to keep going, PUSH!!!! DON’T STOP!!! GO! GO! GO!. I finally made it up the hill then of course I had to turn and climb again, then a quick downhill, another big but steady climb, a hair pin turn to pucker up your butthole a little bit, screaming downhill, aid station, big climb back up. By the time I made it back to mill I was not super happy about having to make that trek 2 more times. I tried not to think about it was 56 miles but as 3 loops instead. 3 sounds waaaay better than 56. As I made the second loop I felt something in my nether regions shift and slide (not what are you are thinking, dirty bastards). My bike seat had come loose and I was tilting very far backwards, I felt like I was riding a horse that was rearing. </div>
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You know what's not graceful? Trying use your nether regions to push your saddle back down into a flat position.<br />
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Not the most comfortable ride in the world. I had already seen 2 bike techs roaming the course so I knew if I could find them again, they would have an allen wrench that I could steal (I will be putting one in my flat kit now). I finally found a guy around mile 35, he tightened my seat and off I went. The 2-3 minutes off the bike was a godsend, my back didn’t hurt any more, I could feel my feet and hands again, and my legs no longer felt like jello. I decided then that went I came back by the aid station during loop 3 I would take another 2-3 minutes, get off my bike, get some cold water, and regroup. Loop 3 sucked, no if ands or buts about it. That climb on the other side of Mill was haaaard. I had a lady yell at me for unclipping as I made the hair pin turn (she was trying to pass me on the right), I had somebody lose a waterbottle that then came flying at me (I ran it over and managed to not go down), I finally came flying down mill ave towards Rio Salado. I saw and heard my family and friends at the turn. Not gonna lie, I was a little teary eyed coming into T2. I couldn’t belive I had finished 56 miles, all I had to do now was run 13.1 miles and I was done. I could see the light at the end of the 70.3 mile tunnel.<u></u><u></u></div>
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Once again I took my time, I changed shoes, put on my hat, strapped on my race bib and headed out. I had decided earlier in the week to take a page from SwimBikeMoms book and run 3 minutes, walk 1 minute. I looked down at my watch, noted the time and started running towards the 1<sup>st</sup> aid station. I came out the gate too fast (happens every time) and was checking my watch every 10 seconds waiting for the 3 minutes to be over. I made it to the first aid station, grabbed some oranges, some pretzels and filled my water bottle with ice. Those became my holy grail, trifecta of aid station goodness. I love oranges during races, I needed the salt from the pretzels to counteract what I was losing in sweat, and I just couldn’t stomach another GU or chew. Just the thought was making my stomach turn. After aid station #2 I decided the 3:1 run walk ratio was not working for me, I was spending too much time looking at my watch and dreading the running. I decided that I was going to run as long as I could with my goal to get to the next aid station, walk the length of the aid station, and then power on. This ended up working better for me because I wasn’t obesessing over my watch. It started to get really hot outside on the run, I was pouring more water over my head, and down my back then I was drinking. I am not generally a sweaty person but I could see the salt stains on my shirt which told me I need to force down as much nutrition as possible. As I was coming around the 2<sup>nd</sup> loop I realized I just couldn’t keep running, my knee was starting to go and as I learned at Ragnar, if my knee goes I am screwed. So I did the math and decided if I could keep a 15 min pace then I would come in around 7:45. I let my body do what it felt it could do, of course my body was saying F this, lets go get a pizza and I was begging it for just 10 more miles.<u></u><u></u></div>
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Just 10 more miles, we can run 10 miles in our sleep, that’s an easy morning jog after all this training. Just 10 more miles, just 9 more miles, just 8 more miles, just to the next aid station, just one more loop, just 3 more miles, just to the porta potty, just to the bridge, run to the finish, we just have to loop around Ironman village and down the chute, where the hell did this hill come from?!, ok over the hill and down the chute, high five Sammy, high Five Dad, sorry mom no High five you are on the wrong side of the chute, high five BAMers, run to the guy with a mic, fist pump for pictures, smile, no, cry, no, smile, smile while crying, hold medal up, grab a water, and the most expensive hat you will ever own, fall into husband, smile.<u></u><u></u></div>
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And done.<u></u><u></u><br />
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Lauren Ellis, YOU are HALF AN IRONMAN!!!<br />
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(no they don't really say that, but I wanted them to.)<br />
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I finished in 7:50 sqeaking just under 8 hours. Once I finished all the pain that I had been ignoring for 8 hours came rushing back, I felt the blisters on my toes, the cramping in my arms, and the stiffness in my knees. I looked down and realized I no longer had ankles, just calves that attached directly to my feet. My mom helped my take my shoes off and put on sandles, there were lots of stinky hugs and well wishes. I still had to pack my bags and load my bike back in the truck, as we started walking to the truck the weather that had been holding out came pouring down.<u></u><u></u></div>
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We headed to In and Out for the traditional post race meal, my stomach was not ready to eat so I just watched and sipped on 7up until my stomach settled. The car ride home was very pungent, none of us smelled like roses.<u></u><u></u></div>
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We picked up a large sausage and extra cheese pizza on the way home (my one request after racing), a couple big ice bags, and two containers of our favorite ice creams. Getting everything unloaded and into the house while simultaneously feeding 4 dogs who were convinced we had left them forever was quite a task for two people who could barely move. Once the dogs were settled down, everything had been brought in,and the truck was febreezed, we set up our individual ice baths. I went first, Scott kept yelling at me to make sure I was in for 5 minutes, I kept yelling back that I wasn’t even in yet, and yelling at the 4 dogs who wanted to sniff every part of me, stick there heads in the bath, and generally walk underfoot at all times. I love them but after my blisters were stepped on for the 3<sup>rd</sup> time I banished them from the room. As soon as I placed my delicate and badly abused body parts into the water I started crying, and not little girlish sniffles. Big racking sobs. It hurt, it brough to light every chafed piece of skin, every blister, every ache, and every nerve. After about 3 minutes I stopped crying and let myself sink into the water. It started to feel good, it was pulling the pain out of my knees, my ankles were coming back, and I could wiggle my toes again. I had a friend tell me that Ice baths are where Heaven and Hell meet, and I couldn’t agree more. After 5 minutes I turned the shower to the hottest setting and felt my muscles unclench for the 1<sup>st</sup> time in 12 hours.<u></u><u></u></div>
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After the shower I settled in bed with my large pizza, a gallon of water, and a bowl of ice cream… I then proceeded to pass the F out. Gone. Goodnight.<u></u><u></u></div>
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I woke up to Cally (our bloodhound) drinking my water from my cup next to the bed. She did not give a damn that I was still dehydrated.<u></u><u></u></div>
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Thank you everyone who came out, cheered, and helped me get to this point. I couldn’t have done it without the support of my family, friends, and even the random strangers who wished me luck.<u></u><u></u></div>
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I think I am now more scared for Oceanside, this was harder than I anticipated and I have a lot of work to do.<u></u><u></u></div>
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I get 6 weeks off to rest, and let my body heal up before I jump back into training. Most of the next week will be spent eating, eating, and drinking beer.<u></u><u></u></div>
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Except for 4 hours on Saturday when I run a half marathon (not sure what I was thinking)<u></u><u></u></div>
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Oh… and I know you all are wondering… no I did not poop my pants. <u></u><u></u></div>
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MrsLEllishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02381987066413068555noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4623172449848891471.post-88715438093615801842015-10-16T08:35:00.004-07:002015-10-16T08:46:58.661-07:00See Ya On The Other Side<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I have a lot of friends racing this weekend including myself. From half marathons to 100mile endurance runs and 70.0 Ironman distances. All I can think is damn I have some cool friends. I love watching people accomplish their goals and push the limits of their mind and body. I know there are a lot of people who don’t get it, and that’s ok. But I also hope that one day you take the time to sit and watch an Ironman finish line. Absorb the people, the mentality, the absolute amazingness of people pushing limits. The finishers chute is an amazing place, its filled with tears, joy, and pain. It may not be something you want to do but I hope it helps you understand why we do.<br />
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Be Unstoppable. Be Badass.<br />
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See ya on the other side of 70.3</div>
MrsLEllishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02381987066413068555noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4623172449848891471.post-45842245184772923892015-10-13T19:00:00.000-07:002015-10-13T19:00:35.417-07:00Taper Crazies <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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My name is Lauren, I am 5 days out from my 1st Half Ironman and I am in the throws in the </div>
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Taper Crazies. </div>
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I am obsessed with the weather</div>
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(Its going to be a high of 89, possible cloud coverage) </div>
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I am a germaphobe </div>
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(Cough, sneeze, wheeze, or start looking pale and I will hose your ass down with lysol)</div>
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I am obsessing over packing lists </div>
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(studied, organized in my mind, promptly forget as soon as I get home)</div>
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I am obsessed with nutrition</div>
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(at least 1 week a year my body will be treated like a temple) </div>
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(a temple craving pizza and beer) </div>
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I want to sleep, and sleep, then sleep some more </div>
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(But due to extenuating circumstances </div>
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*cough, weather analyzing, eating, cough*</div>
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I can't actually fall asleep) </div>
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Anxiety is my middle name</div>
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every few minutes I remember that I am in fact swimming, biking, and running 70.3 miles on Sunday</div>
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then I think about folding up into the fetal position</div>
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I feel like there is a vise grip around my chest </div>
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then I remember <strike>pizza at the finish line </strike> the sense of accomplishment that comes with a finish line</div>
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I am questioning myself </div>
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my training</div>
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every piece of food that was not lettuce </div>
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every mile</div>
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every early morning workout</div>
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did I push myself hard enough?</div>
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Did I make the right choices?</div>
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Can I do this?</div>
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what if I get a flat tire</div>
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what if I forget to eat</div>
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what if I fall</div>
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What if</div>
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What if</div>
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What if</div>
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What if I forget to go to the bathroom</div>
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What if the wetsuit strippers can't get my wetsuit off and I am stuck in front of hundreds of people while some stranger repeatedly tries to yank me out of a rubber suit. </div>
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I have to put on a wetsuit in front of people </div>
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(please dear god let there be no cameras and lots of body glide) </div>
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<br /></div>
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I can do this.<br />I can do this</div>
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Trust the training</div>
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Trust the process</div>
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have fun</div>
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Pizza</div>
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beer</div>
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Pizza</div>
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beer </div>
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enjoy the moment</div>
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<br /></div>
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run for those who can't </div>
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<br /></div>
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don't poop your pants. </div>
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bring the body glide</div>
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lube the "chassis" before you leave the house </div>
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fanny packs are cool </div>
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spandex is cooler </div>
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smile </div>
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laugh</div>
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<br /></div>
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seriously don't poop your pants. </div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
</div>
MrsLEllishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02381987066413068555noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4623172449848891471.post-22816353226585506102015-10-05T16:20:00.001-07:002015-10-05T16:25:05.713-07:00Baked Oatmeal {Dairy-Free}<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I went out on the hunt for a healthy baked oatmeal. I am not in the mood for eggs this week and I wanted to try something new but I also needed something healthy and not packed with tons of sugar and flour. I had some old fashioned oats laying around so I started stalking pinterest. My sister in law had made a baked oatmeal years ago and I remembered how yummy it was on a cold morning reheated in the microwave with some warm almond milk over top. I found the following recipes that fit my nutrition and budget requirements. I had most of the ingredients on hand which always makes my life easier when I don't plan on the weekends </div>
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( AKA falling asleep on the couch two days running)</div>
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This is something I can cut up, stick a slice in tupperware and grab in the morning. Its also easy to reheat at work.</div>
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<a href="http://www.fivehearthome.com/2014/09/04/pumpkin-baked-oatmeal-with-maple-pecans-dairy-free/#.VhMEJf3vXpE.blogger">Pumpkin Baked Oatmeal with Maple & Pecans {Dairy-Free}</a></div>
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( I subbed honey for Maple syrup, just personal preference)</div>
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<img alt="Pumpkin Baked Oatmeal with Maple and Pecans / Dairy-Free ~ warm, filling, wholesome breakfast that can be made ahead and reheated! | FiveHeartHome.com: " height="400" src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/91/53/ce/9153ce92b65245a2d9a8e16d22f65c84.jpg" width="266" /></div>
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Five Heart Home</div>
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<br /></div>
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http://www.crazyforcrust.com/2015/01/blueberry-baked-oatmeal</div>
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(I also added chopped pecans)</div>
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<img alt="Blueberry Baked Oatmeal is a healthier, easy breakfast. Great for a crowd or to freeze for quick breakfasts!: " height="400" src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/39/66/0a/39660aa0cfacb887bdefe3c23f098cab.jpg" width="266" /></div>
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CrazyForCrust</div>
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Yummy!</div>
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MrsLEllishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02381987066413068555noreply@blogger.com0