PR in the pouring rain ...

What fun! I ran like hell in the Run Like Hell 5K last night on the canal.
Start time: a very wet 7 p.m.
End time: Ran it in 30.09, a PR for me - 9.40 minute miles! (and about 32 ounces of water in my shoes and clothes!)
I really think Chris' Cross Fit training is the reason. Why?
1. I never would have said "what fun!" about running in the rain (or doing burpees) a year ago!
2. It's all about being a badass.
3. Chris never stops challenging me to lift something bigger, do something longer, believe I can be stronger...
... Next running challenge: Thinking about a 5K trail run at Ft. Ben on Nov. 14 - part of the DINO runs and, again, all new to me ... Anybody? Anybody? :)

wanna get high?

Now that I have your attention ... :)

Who wants to get "high" on Friday, Oct. 30 at the ropes course in Holcomb Gardens at Butler University? Friday is an "open climb" from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., which means that anyone can put on a helmet and harness and climb up to the playground suspended 40 feet in the trees!

Before you climb, you complete a brief "ground school," so you learn how to move safely once you are up! It is amazingly fun and challenging -- and even better when a group can make it together!

Let me know if you are interested - you can get there as late as 4 p.m. and still get on the course. I would suggest two hours - 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., if you can - so you have time to try the different challenges! Please wear comfortable clothing and shoes you can climb in!

I hope to see you there!

My first tattoo, and other news

Hi all!

I've been trying to upload a slideshow from the Go Girls Triathlon for all BTWGers to see, but no luck yet! But check out this photo -- and my profile -- fishes Alison, Sherri and me, at the start of the race! I think our smiles tell it all - what a great day! So much energy, so much fun -- get ready for next years, gals - because we are recruiting already! :) I kept my "ink" (Sharpie marker tattoo) as long as I could to remind of the complete joy of sharing health, support, community and Eagle Creek with an amazing group of people! As Sherri says, "WE ROCK!"

Sherri and I also shared the Race for the Races, a 5K to benefit IPS last Saturday, the 12th. It was a beautiful morning for a run and again, such a positive spirit to the event! My kiddos Emma and Sam walked the 1-mile family fun walk in 19 minutes and were quite proud of themselves!

It just strikes me: I am not meant to do this isolation! Whether it's ganging up to test the triathlon waters, meeting a friend to run with a cause, racing down the highway to make one of Chris' yoga classes - it's all good. And it all feels better, funner, and more alive, because I can share this with you! Yes, there are days I like to sweat alone, singing badly or counting loudly to the tunes on the shuffle. But misery is the only reason to love company: Company/companions/compadres are also for celebrating, challenging (ourselves, each other) and creating new stuff in each of us -- and who doesn't love new stuff??

Here's to sharing new stuff, in all its wildest and wackiest forms!

Open water swim

Allison and I had a chance to practice our strokes for the triathlon on Saturday in some beautiful lake water. (Big thanks to her friend for the invite!) We missed you, Sherri! It's pretty clear that the distance is not an issue, but swimming straight without lap-lane lines is tricky! I'm feeling a little anxious about that "unknown" aspect of the swim, that I really can't prepare for: Will it be really warm? How many times will I get kicked in the face? :)
Still have not heard who is meeting at my house before the race, and who is coming afterward to celebrate! Please, come after yoga class, too, all are welcome! I just need a rough idea of how many, so I can have some food ready!
Hope to see you Saturday!

Quick update for Go Girls

Don Carr of Tuxedo Brothers called back and confirmed that you have to pick up your race materials in person with ID.
You can pick them up at the Julian Center on Friday, Aug. 28, between 12 p .m. and 6 p.m. Julian Center is at 2011 N. Meridian. OR, you can pick up your stuff on race day, that morning.
Please let me know if you want to meet at my house before the race. Matt will get all of us to Eagle Creek via van, so you won't have to worry about parking. We can go in shifts to fit the bikes in the van - the park is just minutes away from our house.
TO ALL BTWGers: You are invited to a post-Go Girl party at my house! Please come, feel free to bring kids, spouses, etc. We'll have some brunch food and drink and the cornhole boards will be ready for play!

true comic relief ...

This morning, I had the guilty pleasure of reading the newspaper (and sipping a non-fat latte) while my children play capture the flag and learn to identify animal poop at camp. Okay, it was the Indy Star, so it didn't take long -- so I glanced at the comics to prolong the bliss ... And, out of the mouth of Peanuts came some words I needed to hear and share:
Charlie Brown is snuggled in bed with Snoopy draped over him. "Sometimes I lie awake at night and I ask 'What can I do to keep my life from going by so fast?'"
His answer to himself, as Snoopy slumbers on" "Then a voice comes to me that says, 'try slowing down at the corners.'"
I am so grateful for the time I have had this month away from work - so spend with my children, Matt, friends ... to slow down, even if only a few miles per hour, (for me, progress) ... to wonder/question "what is next?" And I think that whatever is ahead, part of the answer is slowing down at the corners -- the pointed places where changes and challenges abound.
So, next week -- when school starts (can you believe it?) and work resumes, I'm going to try keeping it in first gear, at least for a while...

...the best laid plans ...

After yoga class last week, Matt and I headed to Franch Lick, for a night away and the Lyle Lovett concert. (Got the babysitter, the directions, the non-fat latte for the road ...) We got to West Baden Springs and Resort and were treated like royalty from the second we stopped the car. The valet parking, the bellhop with our bags, guiding us through this AMAZING domed atrium and telling us the history of the restored resort. Matt and I were entranced - remember, we don't get away much! :)
We get to the reservation desk and the smiling clerk says, "Oh, I am sorry, you are not booked here, you are booked at French Lick resort, down the road ... " We are quickly whisked around and back to our car and headed to the "other" resort, which reminded Matt of Wishard or Methodist Hospital. (For me, a night away is a night away, but I will admit some disappointment) ... When we get there, our reservations are screwed up and we are in a smoking room! No can do! It took awhile and we finally got a room with two beds and no smoke (very romantic, eh?)
We decide to bring some relaxation to us by checking out the spa and trying out a "mineral" bath from the famous Pluto spring at French Lick. (supposed to cure what ails you, and then some) ... It was actually a 20-minute soak in water that smelled like rotten eggs and looked worse than my well water - but we hadn't showered after Chris' class, so really it was all good ... :)
Next up, fancy schmancy dinner before the show ... we got to the fancy part, but never got to the dinner! We were seated at 6:30 and by 7:45 had to ask for the check (for drinks, bread and butter) and run to the show!
Okay, if you are a Lyle Lovett fan, the show made up for everything! He played for hours and he played blues, folk, gospel, bluegrass, all his fun stuff - I tried to attach a video, but no luck...
The rest of the weekend went off without a hitch! We worked out in the cool fitness center on Sunday a.m., and enjoyed the long ride home together. The kids were happy, and it was good to be home.