Turkey Day Recap

Well, Turkey Day has come and gone... On Wednesday night, Heidi came over to hang out and spend the night since we had to get up and do the Turkey Day 5K in downtown Mpls the next morning. We had a bit of excitement, as the prepped turkey that Jake went to go get from his mom went 'bad' (I hate it when they cross over to the wrong side of the tracks!)...so we learned that you can get a turkey at 11:00 PM the night before Thanksgiving when hosting for 19 and still pull it off! Heidi and I got down to the Target Center bright and early (sorry Heidi, old habits die hard). It was good, as we ran into the run clubbers that were working the sign up booths and got to chat with them for a bit. Then we met up with Cindy and off we ran. The weather was perfect and the 3.1 miles went off pretty quickly. Before we knew it, we were stuffing our pockets with free energy bars and heading back home.

The whole Rehling clan came over for Turkey day and we had our typical orphans too (Matt & Beth, Heidi and newcomer this year, Noelle!). I think everyone overate and there may have been a couple glasses of wine that could have been avoided. Sarah stopped by later on and we ended up playing some board games into the wee hours of the morning. Was a lot of fun.

Yesterday, I ran a quick errand for mom (on Black Friday) and know exactly why I avoid stores on this day. However, I found that the parking lot was 200% worse than the store. Seriously! I bopped up to C-town to pick up Ruffles (who spent the holiday up at grandpa and grandma's) and got my new tree skirt & stockings that mom quilted for us this year. Got back home and broke out the Xmas decorations. The tree skirt and stockings look great - Mom is so talented! Then Jake and I watched a few movies and veged out for the night. Today was 'homework' day - trying to finalize up some stuff for the semester and tomorrow I need to tweak up my workout plans now that my 'recovery' period from the marathon is coming to a close (and I'm feeling a bit guilty from this week's consumption of food and beverages!). Me and everybody else! Ha ha!

Black Toenail...So Sad

So with Black Friday rapidly approaching, it is only fitting that I have now developed one sucker of a black toenail. I didn't even know this until about 3 days after the marathon, as my toenail polish was a dark purple to start with. Once the soreness in my legs subsided, I felt a weird numb sensation in my one big toe. Upon removing my nail polish - I figured out I have a black toenail. (basically, you get a blood blister under your nail bed and eventually the nail will probably fall off). So I have that to look forward to. Oh well, small price to pay I guess.

Tonight I'm prepping for Turkey day being hosted at our house. Heidi is coming over tonight and we are getting up early in the AM to run the Turkey Day 5K downtown, like we have for the past 2-3 years now. Sounds like the weather will be decent, so should be a fun time. Cindy is also meeting up with us...which will be good, since its been a while since I've seen her.

Hope everyone has a great Turkey Day!!! Gobble Gobble!!!

My Post for My Brother...

My brother wanted to know why I hadn't posted a blog today, as he was basking in the sun in Hawaii - which is new on his routes that he flies (he's a 747 pilot). So, to appease him - here you go. My blog for the day...just for you, Chris.

Today I awoke to a decent day out, and leaves still in my yard. So, since my house was utterly spotless from yesterday's cleaning activities and the thermometer was above 30 degrees, I decided to go hit the yard. Note: this is considered an 'outside job', which does not fit my job description for tasks performed around the Rehling household. But since the husband is outta state hunting, time is running short, and snow is quickly approaching us... options were running low.

So, Ruffles and I spent the day raking up leaves and after getting my neighbor to help me start my leave "sucker", we got them all bagged up too. Due to the many hours that I put into this task, which is not on my list of things to do...did I mention that??? I decided that to reward myself for my efforts this weekend. Therefore, my husband unknowingly just bought me a new tri outfit from Jaggad which I've had my eye on for some time now, but hadn't wanted to shell out the dough for. It is like the one that Heather Gollnick wears in many of her Ironman races, only I opted for the longer top - not the midriff version that she rocks (she LOVES pink too...should see her bike!). Therefore, I guess it was my lucky day!!!

Later, mom and dad swung by with some pizza after running some errands down at Costco. Now, it's back to the computer to work on homework for the rest of the evening. Not quite as exciting as Hawaii, but will have to do for now. Hope your trip is fun, Chris! And by the way...you are so going to smuggle me someday down to Australia which I hear is also a new route...just find me a crate! Did I mention that Jaggad is from Australia? Maybe you'll be shipping my new outfit over to the states for me!

Post Marathon Thoughts

This week again flew by fast. I have been feeling just fine after the first marathon - the massage did wonders. I met with run club on Wednesday and Noelle and I ran probably a mile and a half and went back to lift weights. We weren't so much into running that night. Today I get to pretty much clean the hell out of my messy house in preparation for Thanksgiving, which is creeping up ever so quickly. So after the marathon this week, I've pondered the differences between marathons and triathlons. And not to offend anyone who is partial to either, I thought I'd throw down my thoughts on the two (now that I have done both).

Triathlons vs. Marathons 

1. Mentally fun/challenging:

• Triathlons are mentally more fun, in my opinion - you have so much to think about in the transitions and the 3 sports (in addition you can look forward to those other pieces of the race - hmm...what do I need to prepare to do next?). In addition, you get to work different muscles during the different sports - which mixes things up a bit too.
• In marathons, you are just running.... Oh! Another mile done, what's next? Only 17 more miles....of running. Hmm... my feet hurt. Wonder why?

2. Pre-race excitement/adrenaline:

• In triathlons I get those morning butterflies the day of the race when you are all heading down to the water - that takes me back to the days of competing on the swim team. At Liberty Half IM (Note: I was a basket-case for this one) my heart rate was up to 120 just standing there waiting for the start!
• In marathons (or similar running races) I get none of that. I'm just there to run the thing, no nerves or anything. Calm as a cucumber - no big deal. Is that strange?

3. People:

• In triathlons you typically start in waves of 50 people in the water (or Chicago it may be 150...). Once the initial arms flailing has occurred, it spreads out and you are pretty good to go for the race.
• In marathons (in this case with 30,000 people), you are pretty constrained (in many areas) due to crowded streets and various paces of running of the people around you. Granted, this is possibly not the case in the front waves, but back in wave 18 - it was!

4. Talkativity:

• In triathlons, people don't speak. There may be a word or two that is passed between competitors during a bike pass or maybe on the run when you see a friend...but that is pretty much it. You keep to yourself, run your race and that's it.
• In marathons, there are conversations that can be had. Songs that are sung (Deep in the Heart of Texas?!?! Come on guys...we could have had a catchier tune to croon!) and motivational words that are passed amongst the participants when they see people that are struggling or in need of a pep talk.

5. Training:

• In triathlon, training isn't boring. One day you may run, the next could be biking or swimming. Most likely there are 2 sports done in one day, too. Sick of one sport for the week or possibly have some sort of minor injury or pulled muscle? Then skip it and do another! There's plenty to do!
• In marathons, there isn't too much for variety here. Run today, run tomorrow... I forgot what was on the training plan for Thursday. Oh yeah! Running! The weekend has a LSD (long slow distance) run....that's different!

Well, those are a few of my recollections and comparisons (for now). I'm still leaning towards triathlon as my sport of choice - but I think that both have great qualities for anyone who chooses to participate in them. More power to ya!

Ahhh...Gotta Luv Massage

Recap from yesterday's flight: Remember how I sat next to the cheeriest, happiest person ever on the flight down to San Antonio (AWESOME-girl!)? Well, her polar opposite accompanied me on the flight back to Mpls. This little hoochie said absolutely nothing and scowled the whole flight. When the flight attendant came around with food, she snottily snapped at him "can I just get some chips?!?! I don't want the sandwich!" She had her feet wedged into the seat back of the person in front of her and he politely turned around and asked if she wouldn't mind not doing that. She shifted her weight for 30 seconds, then shoved her feet back into his seat back again. Later, she curled up into a fetal ball in her seat - spilling over onto the shared arm rest of ours and into my 'space'. I accidentally elbowed her several times while working on my laptop. Darn pesky mouse of mine...oops! 

Well, I got back just fine and Jake met me at the airport to pick me up. I got home and pretty much turned around and headed down to St. Paul for class. Back into the swing of things, I guess. My legs felt like crap last night after being cramped up in an airplane and not being able to stretch them out all day. I tried stretching them under the table at class in a subtle way. Not sure if I was terribly covert about it. Oh well. 

Today they feel much better... I think I may be up for a short run with run club tomorrow evening. We shall see. I booked a massage this evening and just got back. You so have to love massage! I was so relaxed....wish I could have one every week! I was a little chilled, kinda wished I was in a sauna-like room, but it wasn't too bad. I do think I need to get into at least a monthly regimen for massage pretty shortly. It does improve your athletic performance and recovery time. Unfortunately, costs money. Doesn't everything!?!? I swear...I need a second job to pay for this Ironman training! Below is my marathon race results with splits and places, etc. I finished pretty much 'middle of the pack'. Which is just fine by me!

I Ran My First Marathon...and Survived!

Yesterday was definitely an experience! Noelle, Corrine and I got on the first shuttle down to the race start (and thank goodness we did!) We got down there in the CHILLY morning air - was probably upper 20s-low 30s! Brrrr!!!! We found a key spot by a generator to huddle with some other people for the few hours that we had before we took off. One of the guys we were standing by looked and acted exactly like Ashton Kutcher. Was kinda funny. Now, a handful of the other run-clubbers slept in and couldn't get on the shuttles...ended up walking 2.5 miles to the start. They were NOT happy.

So we all got ready to go and along with 30,000 others - started running. Noelle, Corrine and I were running the full marathon and hooked up with Jerel and Andy (half marathon) for the first 10 miles until they broke off and headed back to the finish. They were complete saints and took my hoodie and Noelle's jacket back with them so we didn't have to run with those around our waists for the last 16 miles.

The "Rock N Roll" part of the marathon was a little over-hyped. We were complaining that there weren't enough bands - especially in the back part of the course. Oh well. We attempted to entertain ourselves and keep upbeat. I felt pretty good for the majority of the run. My goal was to work on my 'supplements' and nutrition/hydration to make sure I know how to do all this stuff for when I get to Ironman. I think I did pretty well. My stomach was fine and I think my plan worked out decently. I think I will need to pack a few more Endurolytes for Ironman - as I was running low at the end.

About mile 17-22, Noelle did a great job pacing us...I could easily have slowed down a bit on this stretch and taken 'er a bit easy - but she kept us going at about a 8:45-9:15 pace (when running). I think we negative split our second half of the race, actually. I felt pretty good for the last 4 miles, or so. Which surprised me. Finish time was around 4:53 - which I wanted under 5 hrs...so we made it. By my Garmin we ran around a 4:40 - but there were tons of people on the 1/2 marathon route (can you say congestion?) a few bathroom stops and lines at porta-potties that added a few minutes to our time.

Afterwards, we stopped for Nachos and a Beer at the Hard Rock (Noelle's ritual post-marathon) and then went and ran in the hotel pool to loosen up our legs - which felt really good. We met up with the crew at Coyote Ugly for some more beverages and a stint with us girls dancing on the bar. Don't ask me why. (Jerel!!!)

All-in-all, the race went well. I'm not terribly sure how I feel about marathons just yet. Wondering why people sign themselves up for things like this (this coming from the girl signed up for an Ironman) - but I'm sure that I could be swayed to do another one again. We shall see. Now that this is over and complete - a week or so of recovery and then I'm ready to start the Ironman base training (fully, not just half-assed like the past month or so) that will take me into September. Woo hoo!

Now, heading to the gate and hopping on my flight back to MN. Will post more pics later when I get home and settled back in.

In Texas and....COLD!

So I got into San Antonio about 10:45 PM last night. Flights were fairly decent and uneventful, except for the annoying woman that sat next to me on the flight from Houston to San Antonio. Everything was AWESOME to her. She said this word probably 4-5 times a minute it seemed like. 

All I heard is:

blah, blah, blah....AWESOME....blah, blah, blah....AWESOME! blah, blah, blah....AWESOME....blah, blah, blah....AWESOME!....blah, blah, blah....AWESOME!

Needless to say, I threw on my headphones and attempted to zone out for the rest of the flight. When I got down to San Antonio, I got over to the hotel, changed quickly, and then met up with "the girls", who had already had a jump start on me for evening festivities. We headed back out to a few of the bars they had been at and had a good time. (Can you say....military? Crap, everyone down here is in the military!)

"Girls Night Out - Carmella, Jerel, Noelle, Jen & Sonja"

Today, we woke up and Noelle and I headed to the expo to pick up my packet and buy unneeded apparel and souvenirs. The weather down here is actually COLD! Wind is pretty good and if you are down by the riverwalk - it is downright chilly! Tomorrow's forecast is for between 36 - 72 degrees... so should be nice and brisk for the start of the race.

We stopped off briefly to warm up at a coffee shop, do some 'homework' (us grad students...I tell ya!), and then we are doing a riverboat tour later this afternoon. Probably followed by dinner and relaxation prior to our early morning wake-up call. I'll try to post some race results tomorrow after the race - if I'm functioning. I think my fingers should work still....just those legs & feet that I'm worried about. Naw...it'll be fine - will be a fun course and I'm looking forward to it! Go 26.2!!! Woo hoo!

Almost Set To Go!

Well, I'm off tomorrow to go down to San Antonio for my first marathon! This week has been crazy busy with my work and our project attempting to deploy tomorrow. I'm definitely ready for a couple of days off.

I plan to run some errands tomorrow morning (since I've had NO time this week to breathe) and finish up packing and then I fly out late-afternoon to meet up with all the run-clubbers that are already down there. Can't wait to get to the riverwalk... haven't been down there since I was 17 - it was such a great place!

The race is Sunday, starting at 7:30 AM...I'm going out in wave 18 with Noelle and Corrine.

For anyone curious on how things are going, there will be posted live results at this link: Live Results page.

I'll make sure to detail out the highlights and lowlights after I return. Wish me luck!!!

Lefse & Cocked Hat Soup Day 2008

Yesterday I awoke to a limping dog - Ruffles back leg was a bit lame, but I held back from running straight to the vet and a several hundred dollar payment to them. Was gonna wait and see how the day went. 

Highlight #1 for day: I paid $1.89 for gas!!! I almost took a few cars out as I broke for the SA station by my house to get in on this deal. Less than $25 for the whole tank!!! I couldn't believe it - so had to take a picture. ha ha.

Highlight #2 for day: I went up to C-town for our annual "Lefse & Cocked Hat Soup" Extravaganza. When the boys go hunting on opener (update: Jon = 11 pt buck, Dad = 8 pt buck, Chris = nadda, Jake = No word), then the girls get together and make some Norwegian family goodies. So it was mom, Sara, Betty, Stacy, and me. But this year we had Laike with us, as last year he was only a bun in the oven! 

For those who aren't spun up on "Cocked Hat Soup", it is a whole day process to make 'noodle dough' that then goes around a ground up chicken & beef mixture and then into a broth soup. Is very tasty. Then usually Stacy and I are the lefse makers at the grill. We are becoming quite good at it - but we always have mom to help. 

Vern came over at the end to try out our soup and Laike became a true Norwegian with his first bite of lefse!

Then I loaded up some soup & lefse and headed home. Luckily, Ruffles was walking fine when I got back and seems to be just as well today. Today I'm planning a run with Noelle (only 8 miles today) and then we are pretty much set for San Antonio next week. In fact, I think a little packing will be in order this afternoon, after laundry gets done.

I love my job...

Cat In The Hat Poem- I Love My Job by Dr. Seuss.

I Love My Job
-----------------
I love my job. I love the pay!
I love it more and more each day.
I love my boss, he is the best!
I love his boss, and all the rest.

I love my office and its location. I hate to have to go on vacation.
I love my furniture, drab the grey, and piles of paper that grow each day!
I think my job is really swell, there's nothing else I love so well.
I love to work among my peers, I love their leers and jeers and sneers.
I love my computer and its software: I hug it often through it won't care.
I love each program and every file, I'd love them more if they worked a while.

I'm happy to be here. I am. I am.
I'm the happiest slave of the Firm, I am.
I love this work. I love these chores.
I love the meetings with deadly bores.
I love my job- I'll say it again- I even love those friendly men.
Those friendly men who've come today. in clean white coats to take me away!!!!!!

Some days this image is SO true... especially when you are fighting with testing environments and the deployment day is creeping up on you. Hmmmm.....sound like today, does it? Maybe.

Voting - Check!

Just got done standing in line at the Community Center to cast my vote. I am SOOOOO happy that after today I don't have to listen to or watch stupid campaign commercials on TV anymore! Last night was a nightmare...there was not a SINGLE commercial that was not a campaign commercial while I was sitting on the couch writing a paper for school. Seriously, it's no wonder that the economy stinks - all the other retailers can't get a commercial in edge-wise with these yahoos running for office. OK, off my soap-box. I'm sure tonight will be interesting with all the election coverage and results rolling in. I'll be watching it from the gym while lifting weights, I suppose...

My Little Pony Flashback

Today I ran with run club down at the Lakes for a nice little 11-miler. Much nicer than having to do 20. I really like taper! Went home and met my husband for lunch and then went up to C-town to hang with the family that got together for dad's birthday. 

Chris, Lisa & Maya were in town from Alaska and Jon, Stacy & Laike came over from Princeton. During our little visit with the niece & nephew - we pulled out of the barn at my parent's house some of my old toys for Maya to play with...basically my old "My Little Ponies" and I guess I had a few of them (like 20!). Terribly strange to think that my almost 3 year old niece likes these toys - and according to the patent stamped on the hoofs of these ponies...mine were back from 1983! 25 years ago! Ow! I'm going to try to put that out of my mind. ha ha. 

Tomorrow is supposed to be pretty nice out - so maybe me and Pink Lightning might get out for a spin before she has to remain cooped up downstairs on the trainer for the rest of the winter. For now...setting the clocks back and heading to bed!