That's how I'm focussing on walking today! ha!
If you would have asked me 3 weeks ago "Do you think you are in great shape?" I would have said "I think I'm in 'good' shape, not great shape." And I honestly would have believed that! Now...ask me what kind of shape I'm in!!!
You would think that after a season consisting of a marathon, triathlons (including a 1/2 ironman), 1/2 marathons, and duathlons, and frequent trips to the gym to lift and work with a personal trainer, one would be in "good" shape. Yeah...you'd have thunk it!
Let me tell you, that until you do lifting like I've been doing, or running like I've been doing - fitness will remain at a 'moderate' level in perception. I now have a new outlook on 'fit'. (Sorry Thom - this may mean more time at the gym upon my return...I'll never want to lose this because it's painful to get it back!) Luckily, I'm not the only one that is sore --- many of the other gals were a bit sore last night too as we embarked on our "hill run". So, we modified a bit. Instead of sprinting up the hills, we...well, we sprinted the whole damn thing! Ok, not like we were doing on Sunday morning, but really, we ran a course of what I was told is about 12 - 13 kilometers (yes, yes...conversion for you English Unit folks: about 7.5 - 8 miles)in an hour. Ok - so that's about an 8:00/mile pace if we ran 7.5 miles, about 7:30 if we ran 8 miles. It was on all different types of terrain - we started off road for the first 20 minutes through mud, rocks, tree roots, dirt...you name it, we probably stepped on it - and perhaps some dog poo (I know some of you thought that!). That was a bit of up and down - nothing too terrible. Then we spent the next 40 minutes on pavement, going up gradual, long hills, and up more gradual hills...maybe down a little, but back up....and keeping a 7:30 pace. I managed to keep up with the first 3 runners in front of me - that made me feel pretty good. There were quite a few behind me, but inside my head, I kept telling myself "there are still those 3 in front of you!". We got back to the locker room and stretched a bit, and then it was a night.
Today, (tuesday), we had the day off. I got up at a 'normal' time - 7:30 (sleeping in a house with twin 2 year olds - you don't sleep much past 6:00!), and then started the work day... I had to make sure to get up once in a while to walk around so my legs wouldn't seize up on me. They hurt like the dickens - and what's this? Tomorrow at 6:00 - "POWER"?? then skating at 7:00?? oh my - I hope my legs are back to normal by tomorrow morning! (Power is a lot of plyometric work where we will do lots of jumps, side to side lunges, etc. Lots of leg work!) I will survive...what doesn't kill me makes me stronger.
Friday morning, we are leaving for the tournament - 8:00 AM "mini busses" roll out and we are off to a tournament where we hope to be competing in the championships on Sunday night. I don't know how much ice time I'll get - being the "newbie", but I'm excited to see "ice" bandy played indoors! I'll be sure to take some pictures and post those!
Besides the bandy - I've seen a lot of different fashion as I sit at the desk in my room and work during the day. There is a day care down the road where moms/dads/nannies can go and socialize with their babies. There always seems to be someone walking down the road pushing a stroller, riding a bike, or just taking their pooch for a walk. Golashes are big here (the weather is rainy this time of the year), and tight/skinny jeans. No one ever looks shabby when they are out and about - in fact, there is no way I'd survive wearing some of the shoes they wear walking. All about fashion! I haven't had much of a chance to get out and see much more just because when it's daylight, I'm logged into work, and then at night, I stay logged into work...or go to practice. I hope that when I move to the apartment near downtown, I'll get to see much more.
But, I guess I'll just have to wait until then.
For now - it is 11:00 PM here and I'm going to call into a work call, then take a nap and do it all again tomorrow. Hopefully, I'll have a bit more mobility tomorrow! I know my pain is minimal in comparison to mom's at this point - by the way - for those of you who are reading this and know the family - she is doing very well! She's a fighter --- taking it one day at a time... as I take it one foot in front of the other.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Monday, October 20, 2008
Owie! Is this what it's like to be a pro?
Ok, so I've always said "I want to train like a pro" - well, I had my first opportunity to that, and dang it - I'm "S"-"O"-"R"-to the "E" today! I can hardly move it seems like. Ok, so my fears of the gym were adequate, and here's the story of a "typical work out". (and I crap my pants thinking that it's "typical")
I moved to one of the AIK coach's houses on Saturday, so Saturday night was a nice night chilling with the coach, his girlfriend, and the couple I'm living with (and their twins), as well as another set of their friends. I got to do a real "Finnish Style Sauna" (Miska - the coach is from Finland), and just relax. That was great because then I was actually able to fall asleep at a normal time that night. I slept until about 7:30 AM on Sunday when I realized that it was a day I was afraid of - Training at the gym with the Swedish Bandy Players. I already knew they were strong --- but wow!
So, we head to this "Gym" - which I find out is a "Professional Athlete Training Facility". (Wow!) They had every type of training going on there - track and field (including pole vault and high jump!), wrestling, tae kwan do (sp?), floor ball (or "innebandy"), fencing, and who knows what else! We started out with running for about 20 minutes. And yes, I said "Running" for 20 minutes. I'm used to an 8:00/mile or 7:30/mile pace if I'm going to run for 20 minutes...I think we started out there, but ended at 7:00 or less/mile. Anyway - then it was onto the short sprints. We would lay down on our belly or back, or sit indian style or kneel, or whatever --- anyway - a series of these different starting positions was gone through. You are in starting position on the line, and someone claps so you can't see them doing it, you have to respond based on sound. You get up as fast as can be, then you sprint about 50 yards! Yeah, we did that for 45 minutes straight! Between each sprint, you got about 15 seconds rest. I am very happy to say that I did hang in there with most of them (there are a few girls on this team who are ripped and like Speedy Gonzales!)
After we did the sprints, my hammies were screaming at me, but we weren't done! Oh no - now it's onto the 100 meter dash and 200 meter dash! we did the 100 meter dash 8 times and the 200 meter dash 6 times!
That was pure running for about 2 hours. Then lunch in the cafeteria. Many different things to have, including beer! yep! including beer! I thought that was odd....didn't see anyone taking any though.
Down to the weight room. I am SO weak! We did a series of back and leg exercises as well as some tricep and chest. Then, I actually amazed myself and did 10 pull ups with VERY little assistance! I was quite proud of that accomplishment! However...today (Monday), I'm a wee bit...er, a LOT sore! I can hardly walk!
Tonight, we are going to do "hill intervals" of running. I don't know if I am going to survive this first week! Once we are done with hill intervals, we are going to do some core work. That's "it" for tonight, then we have ice practice on Wednesday - oh, but before we do ice practice, we have "power" training. Meaning we are doing a series of jumps and hops for our legs and their power for an hour before we get on the ice for an hour and a half!
This weekend, we are off to Edsbyn, Sweden (NW of Stockholm) for a tournament. Crazy cool. There will be 12 teams - 1 Finland, 1 Norway, 2 Russia, and 8 Sweden. I heard that we might have some extra games after the tournament against Russia, but I'm not sure. Thank goodness we have 20 people on the team so we can sub in and out for games!
So, this is mentally challenging because I see all of the work that lies ahead of me physically, and mentally, I try to focus on work during the day (I mean real work for SJM!) I could see being a pro and being paid to train like this...yeah, I'd dig that, but really, wow! This is nuts! I'm loving it...never said I didn't like something that was physically challenging! It's a good pain I'm feeling now. I just hope that I can run up the hills tonight!
Here's to the hills you are climbing today mom - - - and the mountains you are having removed today. I'm thinking of you, saying my prayers, and counting our blessings!
Hej Da (said like "Hey Doh") for "Good Bye"
KP
I moved to one of the AIK coach's houses on Saturday, so Saturday night was a nice night chilling with the coach, his girlfriend, and the couple I'm living with (and their twins), as well as another set of their friends. I got to do a real "Finnish Style Sauna" (Miska - the coach is from Finland), and just relax. That was great because then I was actually able to fall asleep at a normal time that night. I slept until about 7:30 AM on Sunday when I realized that it was a day I was afraid of - Training at the gym with the Swedish Bandy Players. I already knew they were strong --- but wow!
So, we head to this "Gym" - which I find out is a "Professional Athlete Training Facility". (Wow!) They had every type of training going on there - track and field (including pole vault and high jump!), wrestling, tae kwan do (sp?), floor ball (or "innebandy"), fencing, and who knows what else! We started out with running for about 20 minutes. And yes, I said "Running" for 20 minutes. I'm used to an 8:00/mile or 7:30/mile pace if I'm going to run for 20 minutes...I think we started out there, but ended at 7:00 or less/mile. Anyway - then it was onto the short sprints. We would lay down on our belly or back, or sit indian style or kneel, or whatever --- anyway - a series of these different starting positions was gone through. You are in starting position on the line, and someone claps so you can't see them doing it, you have to respond based on sound. You get up as fast as can be, then you sprint about 50 yards! Yeah, we did that for 45 minutes straight! Between each sprint, you got about 15 seconds rest. I am very happy to say that I did hang in there with most of them (there are a few girls on this team who are ripped and like Speedy Gonzales!)
After we did the sprints, my hammies were screaming at me, but we weren't done! Oh no - now it's onto the 100 meter dash and 200 meter dash! we did the 100 meter dash 8 times and the 200 meter dash 6 times!
That was pure running for about 2 hours. Then lunch in the cafeteria. Many different things to have, including beer! yep! including beer! I thought that was odd....didn't see anyone taking any though.
Down to the weight room. I am SO weak! We did a series of back and leg exercises as well as some tricep and chest. Then, I actually amazed myself and did 10 pull ups with VERY little assistance! I was quite proud of that accomplishment! However...today (Monday), I'm a wee bit...er, a LOT sore! I can hardly walk!
Tonight, we are going to do "hill intervals" of running. I don't know if I am going to survive this first week! Once we are done with hill intervals, we are going to do some core work. That's "it" for tonight, then we have ice practice on Wednesday - oh, but before we do ice practice, we have "power" training. Meaning we are doing a series of jumps and hops for our legs and their power for an hour before we get on the ice for an hour and a half!
This weekend, we are off to Edsbyn, Sweden (NW of Stockholm) for a tournament. Crazy cool. There will be 12 teams - 1 Finland, 1 Norway, 2 Russia, and 8 Sweden. I heard that we might have some extra games after the tournament against Russia, but I'm not sure. Thank goodness we have 20 people on the team so we can sub in and out for games!
So, this is mentally challenging because I see all of the work that lies ahead of me physically, and mentally, I try to focus on work during the day (I mean real work for SJM!) I could see being a pro and being paid to train like this...yeah, I'd dig that, but really, wow! This is nuts! I'm loving it...never said I didn't like something that was physically challenging! It's a good pain I'm feeling now. I just hope that I can run up the hills tonight!
Here's to the hills you are climbing today mom - - - and the mountains you are having removed today. I'm thinking of you, saying my prayers, and counting our blessings!
Hej Da (said like "Hey Doh") for "Good Bye"
KP
Saturday, October 18, 2008
I have some ideas of things I need to do when I get home
Ok, the entrepreneur in me is saying I need to do a few things - so I'm jotting them down here so I don't forget.
1) Daim Blizzards - Ikea has the candy, but I'm going to bring home the little ball shaped pieces of candy to sell to DQ.
2) This "soda" bottle thing - ok, you can take a bottle of tap water, put it in this little thing and it infuzes carbonation into the bottle. I would drink SO much more water that way. You can also get flavors for it. If I can't export them, I'm at least bringing one home for my house!!!
3) Bandy sticks - that's a given! Just the importing process of it all (oh, and bandy balls)
4) Day care outdoors year round! Yes, you read that - they do it here. The way they do it reminds me of this week long camp I went to as a kid - Rothke Day Camp. It's outdoors, a big field and a big "forest" as they say. Think about it - if kids aren't sharing the same toys - they don't get sick as often. Also, they are tired more when they get home (great for the parents), and as the days get shorter, you at least know your kids have been outdoors and you can do some quiet activities - puzzles, read, etc. - with them when you get home.
5) A training program for the on and off season of bandy. We have a chance to really pose a challenge to some of these teams if we just trained like them!
Those are the top few for today. It's getting late here and I have to go to the gym tomorrow with the gals --- that means interval running for an hour, and then weight lifting for the afternoon. I'm quite nervous about the whole thing ---
On that note - "God Natt" - meaning "Good Night"
KP
1) Daim Blizzards - Ikea has the candy, but I'm going to bring home the little ball shaped pieces of candy to sell to DQ.
2) This "soda" bottle thing - ok, you can take a bottle of tap water, put it in this little thing and it infuzes carbonation into the bottle. I would drink SO much more water that way. You can also get flavors for it. If I can't export them, I'm at least bringing one home for my house!!!
3) Bandy sticks - that's a given! Just the importing process of it all (oh, and bandy balls)
4) Day care outdoors year round! Yes, you read that - they do it here. The way they do it reminds me of this week long camp I went to as a kid - Rothke Day Camp. It's outdoors, a big field and a big "forest" as they say. Think about it - if kids aren't sharing the same toys - they don't get sick as often. Also, they are tired more when they get home (great for the parents), and as the days get shorter, you at least know your kids have been outdoors and you can do some quiet activities - puzzles, read, etc. - with them when you get home.
5) A training program for the on and off season of bandy. We have a chance to really pose a challenge to some of these teams if we just trained like them!
Those are the top few for today. It's getting late here and I have to go to the gym tomorrow with the gals --- that means interval running for an hour, and then weight lifting for the afternoon. I'm quite nervous about the whole thing ---
On that note - "God Natt" - meaning "Good Night"
KP
You don't know what you've got...
Until it's gone...
I miss my TW and Reese B. I didn't think it was going to be this emotional and this tough on me, but it has struck me hard. I think that most of it has to do with how Thom reacted when he was getting ready to take me to the airport. I've never been loved (by anyone other than my parents) like this. To see him sad, and to see him cry because I was going off to a new place, that hit me hard. I cried most of the flight on the way over here to Sweden, and I catch myself thinking about him and tearing up once again. I have 61 more days until he gets here...we can make it.
The first day here (yesterday), Oscar picked me up at the airport - Oscar is my coach for team "AIK" - or as pronounced in Swedish - ah-ee-koh. My sticks did not make the same trip as me, rather they were sent to Copenhagen before arriving in Stockholm. I don't know why that is, but I have had them located and I hope that they arrive today. My phone did not work when I got here - so that was frustrating, but Oscar lent me a phone that he had that was extra so that he might get a hold of me if needed. I am dropped off at the house, unpack a little - the room I was showed to is about the size of the entry way that Thom and I have at the townhome, but it had a bed in it and that looked really nice at that point! So I layed down for a bit - until about 3:00 in the afternoon. I forced myself to get up and went to sit on the couch and read in the living room. That lasted about a half hour before I realized that my eyelids were heavy and I dozed off again until about 5:00. Oscar was on his way to pick me up for the team meeting and dinner at that point, so I started to get ready. The strategy session was interesting with everyone around me speaking in Swedish, but some taking the opportunity to practice their English. Anna - aka "Micro" - was kind enough to be my interpreter for the night. We skated at 10:00 PM on a hockey rink last night - that was great to get out there and test my abilities. My shot sucks! Ok, I already knew that and that's part of the reason I came here. My legs felt a little tired and tight, but I'm sure that's because of the trip here.
I had tried to get online earlier in the day to let my admin. back at work know that my phone was not working - but that was not successful, so when I got back at 11:00 last night, I was able to email her a little bit finally and let her know what was happening. Luckily for me, she was still working (bless her heart) at 5;00 on a Friday evening, and within a couple of hours, we had the whole thing resolved. I have not made a phone call on it yet, but I know who I'm calling when I do - it will be so good to hear his voice. So, I was up until about 3:00 AM with all of that, and finally fell asleep. I only slept for a couple of hours until 6:00 AM - was awake for 30 minutes, then fell asleep until 10:00 AM. Awake for about an hour, then fell asleep until 3:00 PM when I forced myself to get out of bed. I figured if I kept it up, I wouldn't be sleeping tonight. What is interesting is that 3:00 PM here is 8:00 AM at home - I probably would have been forcing myself out of bed at 8:00 AM at home too! I figure that if I can sleep through the night tonight, then I could be on schedule again.
I'm sitting here waiting for my coach to pick me up so I can move to the other coach's house for a few days while we still hunt for an apartment for me. I think it will be nice to live with someone who can help me learn my way around the public transit system a bit and help me figure out where I'm going when. I feel a bit helpless at this point - I haven't been able to grocery shop or anything like that, so I'm kind of glad that I've been so tired that I've slept through most meals. I haven't eaten since our team dinner - that's one time in 2 days.
We have a team practice on Sunday morning - tomorrow. I guess we will do an hour of interval running and then we have a team lunch. After lunch, we will go to the gym and do some lifting. They do this all summer long. Definitely something that Team USA will need to think about if we want to compete at the level these gals are.
Yep, you don't know what you've got until it's gone - someone who really cares and loves me and who I love to spend all of my time with. The cute puppy who just wants to lick my face every time she sees me. The ability to know where you are going effortlessly. The ability to participate in conversations and understand why everyone is laughing, but you are not because you don't get what was just said. The ability to wake up and have a diet coke at hand because you haven't been grocery shopping. The ability to pick up the phone and just call home because your SIM card was never recognized.
So many "little" things are so big.
The biggest is the sadness of missing my best friend.
Love you TW.
I miss my TW and Reese B. I didn't think it was going to be this emotional and this tough on me, but it has struck me hard. I think that most of it has to do with how Thom reacted when he was getting ready to take me to the airport. I've never been loved (by anyone other than my parents) like this. To see him sad, and to see him cry because I was going off to a new place, that hit me hard. I cried most of the flight on the way over here to Sweden, and I catch myself thinking about him and tearing up once again. I have 61 more days until he gets here...we can make it.
The first day here (yesterday), Oscar picked me up at the airport - Oscar is my coach for team "AIK" - or as pronounced in Swedish - ah-ee-koh. My sticks did not make the same trip as me, rather they were sent to Copenhagen before arriving in Stockholm. I don't know why that is, but I have had them located and I hope that they arrive today. My phone did not work when I got here - so that was frustrating, but Oscar lent me a phone that he had that was extra so that he might get a hold of me if needed. I am dropped off at the house, unpack a little - the room I was showed to is about the size of the entry way that Thom and I have at the townhome, but it had a bed in it and that looked really nice at that point! So I layed down for a bit - until about 3:00 in the afternoon. I forced myself to get up and went to sit on the couch and read in the living room. That lasted about a half hour before I realized that my eyelids were heavy and I dozed off again until about 5:00. Oscar was on his way to pick me up for the team meeting and dinner at that point, so I started to get ready. The strategy session was interesting with everyone around me speaking in Swedish, but some taking the opportunity to practice their English. Anna - aka "Micro" - was kind enough to be my interpreter for the night. We skated at 10:00 PM on a hockey rink last night - that was great to get out there and test my abilities. My shot sucks! Ok, I already knew that and that's part of the reason I came here. My legs felt a little tired and tight, but I'm sure that's because of the trip here.
I had tried to get online earlier in the day to let my admin. back at work know that my phone was not working - but that was not successful, so when I got back at 11:00 last night, I was able to email her a little bit finally and let her know what was happening. Luckily for me, she was still working (bless her heart) at 5;00 on a Friday evening, and within a couple of hours, we had the whole thing resolved. I have not made a phone call on it yet, but I know who I'm calling when I do - it will be so good to hear his voice. So, I was up until about 3:00 AM with all of that, and finally fell asleep. I only slept for a couple of hours until 6:00 AM - was awake for 30 minutes, then fell asleep until 10:00 AM. Awake for about an hour, then fell asleep until 3:00 PM when I forced myself to get out of bed. I figured if I kept it up, I wouldn't be sleeping tonight. What is interesting is that 3:00 PM here is 8:00 AM at home - I probably would have been forcing myself out of bed at 8:00 AM at home too! I figure that if I can sleep through the night tonight, then I could be on schedule again.
I'm sitting here waiting for my coach to pick me up so I can move to the other coach's house for a few days while we still hunt for an apartment for me. I think it will be nice to live with someone who can help me learn my way around the public transit system a bit and help me figure out where I'm going when. I feel a bit helpless at this point - I haven't been able to grocery shop or anything like that, so I'm kind of glad that I've been so tired that I've slept through most meals. I haven't eaten since our team dinner - that's one time in 2 days.
We have a team practice on Sunday morning - tomorrow. I guess we will do an hour of interval running and then we have a team lunch. After lunch, we will go to the gym and do some lifting. They do this all summer long. Definitely something that Team USA will need to think about if we want to compete at the level these gals are.
Yep, you don't know what you've got until it's gone - someone who really cares and loves me and who I love to spend all of my time with. The cute puppy who just wants to lick my face every time she sees me. The ability to know where you are going effortlessly. The ability to participate in conversations and understand why everyone is laughing, but you are not because you don't get what was just said. The ability to wake up and have a diet coke at hand because you haven't been grocery shopping. The ability to pick up the phone and just call home because your SIM card was never recognized.
So many "little" things are so big.
The biggest is the sadness of missing my best friend.
Love you TW.
Monday, October 6, 2008
Stress...headaches...deep breaths...
It's been a whirlwind.
I'm stressing out as I don't have a Work Permit or my Visa yet. ACK! What am I going to do???
Here's hoping that within the next 6 days, someone can make a decision to get the info back to NYC so they can process my application and get me my passport back...and FAST! If not - I fax a request to NYC to get my passport, go to Sweden for a couple of weeks, come back, get a stamp (upon approval of at least a Residence permit), and maybe fly back with Thom and Reese. "Everything happens for a reason", right? Yeah, I'm the biggest prophet of that phrase...time for me to actually "practice what I preach". crap!
So, here I sit 10 days before take off. Have I packed? nope! Have I made a list at least? nope! Ok, what have I done??! I've gotten my international drivers license! I have contacted the insurance company about my car (and saving money - no, not a geico ad --- just about stopping collision coverage while I'm gone), and I have a ton left to do - I have a car appointment for tomorrow morning, I have a hair cut on Wed., I have a dentist appointment on Thursday, I have to call the internet and cable companies to save some more money, I have to get to the bank to see what they can do about helping me with an account in Sweden, I need to figure out how to "do taxes" or get an extension, and I need to find a place to live!??!?!? what? Yeah, well, I still don't have an apartment to rent just yet. I have a place that I've checked out as far as a room to rent, but it's only temporary according to the land lord. Oh well. Once I get to know my co-workers and team mates, things will fall into place. Everything happens for a reason.
It's amazing the things you don't think of if you don't have to do a move like this...or if you have to do a move like this and work covers you completely - all of the things that they do for you.
I'm fretting about missing my honey for a couple of months and the pooch that always makes it all ok when I get home from a day at work. I'll be OK...it's temporary, but it's just a weight on the mind and a tug on the heart. I look at Reese and realize how much she has to worry about - sleeping in the cargo area of a plane and worrying about barking Swedish commands at us..."Voof!" Yeah, she's got it great!
I did manage to get out and skate with the men's bandy team this past week - that was definitely needed and great! I realized how out of shape I am. There is this Men's US Bandy tradition that whenever a team member heads over seas, they send the player around the rink to lead 6 laps around the ice (once per hour time difference??? I don't know the significance...) But, when the coach was announcing this, my buddy Nellie opens his mouth and says "because she's a girl, she has to do 8, right?" (thanks Nellie!) Yes, the coach made me skate 8 laps around the rink with guys coming and going as they please within those 8 laps (they could skate 1, fall out....join in 4 laps later, skate 1...etc)...I thought I'd puke at lap 6, but my buddy Nellie kept encouraging me, telling me the last 2 are easy...it took me back to the day when Paul told me that finishing the last 13 miles of the Ironman run were "easy". Suck it up, keep going, mental note "you are NOT in shape!". Better to find that out now instead of when I get to Sweden. Those "buddies" are the ones that you want to hit during the moment, but want to hug them when they have pushed you to your limit - thanks guys!
When I get there, I have a tournament to look forward to...I'm really excited about that and can't wait to put all of the planning and logistics behind me. I just want to enjoy the fruits of all of this labor!
Everything happens for a reason....(everything??)....yes, everything. What doesn't break me down, will make me stronger. Mentally, emotionally, and physically; the survival of the fittest.
10 days and counting....
I'm stressing out as I don't have a Work Permit or my Visa yet. ACK! What am I going to do???
Here's hoping that within the next 6 days, someone can make a decision to get the info back to NYC so they can process my application and get me my passport back...and FAST! If not - I fax a request to NYC to get my passport, go to Sweden for a couple of weeks, come back, get a stamp (upon approval of at least a Residence permit), and maybe fly back with Thom and Reese. "Everything happens for a reason", right? Yeah, I'm the biggest prophet of that phrase...time for me to actually "practice what I preach". crap!
So, here I sit 10 days before take off. Have I packed? nope! Have I made a list at least? nope! Ok, what have I done??! I've gotten my international drivers license! I have contacted the insurance company about my car (and saving money - no, not a geico ad --- just about stopping collision coverage while I'm gone), and I have a ton left to do - I have a car appointment for tomorrow morning, I have a hair cut on Wed., I have a dentist appointment on Thursday, I have to call the internet and cable companies to save some more money, I have to get to the bank to see what they can do about helping me with an account in Sweden, I need to figure out how to "do taxes" or get an extension, and I need to find a place to live!??!?!? what? Yeah, well, I still don't have an apartment to rent just yet. I have a place that I've checked out as far as a room to rent, but it's only temporary according to the land lord. Oh well. Once I get to know my co-workers and team mates, things will fall into place. Everything happens for a reason.
It's amazing the things you don't think of if you don't have to do a move like this...or if you have to do a move like this and work covers you completely - all of the things that they do for you.
I'm fretting about missing my honey for a couple of months and the pooch that always makes it all ok when I get home from a day at work. I'll be OK...it's temporary, but it's just a weight on the mind and a tug on the heart. I look at Reese and realize how much she has to worry about - sleeping in the cargo area of a plane and worrying about barking Swedish commands at us..."Voof!" Yeah, she's got it great!
I did manage to get out and skate with the men's bandy team this past week - that was definitely needed and great! I realized how out of shape I am. There is this Men's US Bandy tradition that whenever a team member heads over seas, they send the player around the rink to lead 6 laps around the ice (once per hour time difference??? I don't know the significance...) But, when the coach was announcing this, my buddy Nellie opens his mouth and says "because she's a girl, she has to do 8, right?" (thanks Nellie!) Yes, the coach made me skate 8 laps around the rink with guys coming and going as they please within those 8 laps (they could skate 1, fall out....join in 4 laps later, skate 1...etc)...I thought I'd puke at lap 6, but my buddy Nellie kept encouraging me, telling me the last 2 are easy...it took me back to the day when Paul told me that finishing the last 13 miles of the Ironman run were "easy". Suck it up, keep going, mental note "you are NOT in shape!". Better to find that out now instead of when I get to Sweden. Those "buddies" are the ones that you want to hit during the moment, but want to hug them when they have pushed you to your limit - thanks guys!
When I get there, I have a tournament to look forward to...I'm really excited about that and can't wait to put all of the planning and logistics behind me. I just want to enjoy the fruits of all of this labor!
Everything happens for a reason....(everything??)....yes, everything. What doesn't break me down, will make me stronger. Mentally, emotionally, and physically; the survival of the fittest.
10 days and counting....
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Irongirl
Irongirl
First - I want to say "THANK YOU" to my bellas who came out and cheered their
hearts out! that was so great to see you all out there! (Marjie, Kate, Laura, Brooke - you all rock!)
Ok, here's the report ---
The day starts out like any normal race day; alarm goes off, I dread the fact
that I have to get up, but I make my breakfast, load the bike, drive to the site. I find my spot in transition - -
- this doesn't make any sense to me where I'm located. The "bike out" and "bike in" is at the TOTALLY opposite
end of the transition area, so that means that I will have to run barefoot or in my cycling shoes for a very
long distance!!! crap. I lay everything out, see everyone I know is going to be there, and get ready. I am
lined up with the Elites - What the??!? Ok, I can hang as long as I want :) The Aflac duck tells us we're off,
and we go --- I didn't hang with the Elites very long! ha! I see about 30 people pull ahead of me. I see Laura
cheering just as I was going out of the run, then about 0.25 into it, I see none other than Marjie and Kate!
They gave big bella shouts, and I knew it was going to be a fun day! I get to the 1 mile marker and I'm running a
7:30 pace! WOW! I think those gals put a spring into my step! I don't usually run that fast! 7:40's are the
fastest race pace I've gone before - do I keep going? do I slow down? will I be spending everything I have in these
first 2 miles? eh - what the heck - I keep going, don't break stride and come into Transition 1 at 15:08.
About 30 seconds better than last year! Onto the bike.
Clip clop, clip clop for about 0.02 of a mile and finally I can saddle up and
ride. (that was brutal!) Although, the funniest part was when the girl who I was trying to catch for the longest
time on the run is heading out of transition area before, me - she mounts the bike (illegally), get's in trouble
for that, then the next race volunteer points out to her "Your helmet is on backwards! The number goes in
the front!" hee hee. Sorry - that's funny! I get going and hear more bella cheer as I start rolling on the
bike. Marjie even pointed out to me that I can 'Take that girl in front of you!'...I shout back "I got her" --- by
the next turn, I had passed her up. Then I realized, UGH! My legs are cold and tight! CRAP! I can't help but
mutter under my breath "I should have done more cycle training this year!" I feel stupid at this point and kick
myself....especially as the first hill starts to kick my butt. Then, I let my mind wander - why am I out here anyway?
That's right - because some women I know are fighting things much larger than "a race I chose to do!" I'm
here because I can - I'm here because if people can push through some things out of their control, I too can
push myself to the next level! (the race benefits a charity) I pedal on...I make a mental note that I will thank each and every volunteer on the ride in loop 1. They don't have to be out here. I stick to that, thank each and every one of them, and
begin loop 2 - my watch said "50:00" when I started lap 2. Not bad, but not what I totally wanted either.
Oh well...pedal on. As I come down the fast hill, I started to slow down because last year we had to...this year, I
could have kept flying --- oh well...a few seconds...and I'm back up to 35 mph for a bit. I get around the
first turn and see some cop lights in front of me - there is no way I've caught the elites...hmmm....AH...I
see...it's the LAST cyclist on her first lap. OK, I tell myself that I have to pass 10 cyclists...I stopped counting at
15...go me! Every cyclist I passed, I did my usual Bella Encouragement of "Keep the pedals moving" or "forward momentum!"
"Keep it up!" "Looking strong!" I love being a Bella and having the "Love the jersey" comment come
from behind me as I pass someone... I never played leap frog with anyone this year. If I saw someone in
my sights, I reeled her in and took her over....left her in my dust. I was only passed by 2 people in the
first lap, and no one else. Not bad...although, I should have trained more. Next year....this was after all, my
"year off".
Into T2...I'm going to try something new...I hear my bellas cheer me on through
the last little part of the ride, and here I go...undo the shoes, pull feet out, feet on top of shoes...ride into
transition...hop off....without falling! I did it! yeaye! First time for that! I totally need some Tri
shoes! Next on my shopping list.
Pitter Patter, Pitter Patter....all of the way to the bike rack (OWIE! I stepped on SO many stones...). Rack the
bike, change the shoes, don't forget to take off your helmet, put on the hat...go! Out of the transition area
under 2:00 each time! First time for that too! Out of the chute to the las 2 miles....Bella Whoot Whoots and
high fives to be given ;) I'm feeling dead legs...but I push on. 1 mile marker...huh? what? are my eyes reading
that right? am I malnourished? what???? 7:30 pace again?!?!? I'm kidding myself, right? Last year I was
almost at 9:00 miles this part. Ok, don't think about it, keep going how I feel I can go. Seems like the finish
line approached quickly, and I was making the last hair pin turn...that's when the emotion of "fighting" really hit
me, I give a shout to my bellas - "this one is for you" (you know who you are)...I crossed the finish
line with my last typical "kick" and my arms raised upward - just like the Irongirl Logo Grace - fight strong.
I did beat my time from last year by a minute, (I was slower on the bike this year - doh!) 9th of 138 women in
my age group, 61 of 802 overall. I think this year there were more elite athletes or something was different -
the fastest person this year was 1 minute longer than her time last year, the person who finished 3rd overall
last year was 3 minutes longer and thus in 10th place this year...
Thanks bellas for the support and encouragement.
Thanks to my Thom for the great hug at the finish line.
Thanks to Judy for being a super coordinator of the race.
Next weekend is my last duathlon and race for the year---then it's onto Sweden where I'll begin another
challenge. Next year - Border to Border with Paul - ride 200 miles on the first day, ride 200 miles the 2nd day,
run 50 miles the 3rd day, canoe 50 miles the 4th day. Southern MN border to the northern MN border in 4
days - that will be a great race!
Ride on,
KP
First - I want to say "THANK YOU" to my bellas who came out and cheered their
hearts out! that was so great to see you all out there! (Marjie, Kate, Laura, Brooke - you all rock!)
Ok, here's the report ---
The day starts out like any normal race day; alarm goes off, I dread the fact
that I have to get up, but I make my breakfast, load the bike, drive to the site. I find my spot in transition - -
- this doesn't make any sense to me where I'm located. The "bike out" and "bike in" is at the TOTALLY opposite
end of the transition area, so that means that I will have to run barefoot or in my cycling shoes for a very
long distance!!! crap. I lay everything out, see everyone I know is going to be there, and get ready. I am
lined up with the Elites - What the??!? Ok, I can hang as long as I want :) The Aflac duck tells us we're off,
and we go --- I didn't hang with the Elites very long! ha! I see about 30 people pull ahead of me. I see Laura
cheering just as I was going out of the run, then about 0.25 into it, I see none other than Marjie and Kate!
They gave big bella shouts, and I knew it was going to be a fun day! I get to the 1 mile marker and I'm running a
7:30 pace! WOW! I think those gals put a spring into my step! I don't usually run that fast! 7:40's are the
fastest race pace I've gone before - do I keep going? do I slow down? will I be spending everything I have in these
first 2 miles? eh - what the heck - I keep going, don't break stride and come into Transition 1 at 15:08.
About 30 seconds better than last year! Onto the bike.
Clip clop, clip clop for about 0.02 of a mile and finally I can saddle up and
ride. (that was brutal!) Although, the funniest part was when the girl who I was trying to catch for the longest
time on the run is heading out of transition area before, me - she mounts the bike (illegally), get's in trouble
for that, then the next race volunteer points out to her "Your helmet is on backwards! The number goes in
the front!" hee hee. Sorry - that's funny! I get going and hear more bella cheer as I start rolling on the
bike. Marjie even pointed out to me that I can 'Take that girl in front of you!'...I shout back "I got her" --- by
the next turn, I had passed her up. Then I realized, UGH! My legs are cold and tight! CRAP! I can't help but
mutter under my breath "I should have done more cycle training this year!" I feel stupid at this point and kick
myself....especially as the first hill starts to kick my butt. Then, I let my mind wander - why am I out here anyway?
That's right - because some women I know are fighting things much larger than "a race I chose to do!" I'm
here because I can - I'm here because if people can push through some things out of their control, I too can
push myself to the next level! (the race benefits a charity) I pedal on...I make a mental note that I will thank each and every volunteer on the ride in loop 1. They don't have to be out here. I stick to that, thank each and every one of them, and
begin loop 2 - my watch said "50:00" when I started lap 2. Not bad, but not what I totally wanted either.
Oh well...pedal on. As I come down the fast hill, I started to slow down because last year we had to...this year, I
could have kept flying --- oh well...a few seconds...and I'm back up to 35 mph for a bit. I get around the
first turn and see some cop lights in front of me - there is no way I've caught the elites...hmmm....AH...I
see...it's the LAST cyclist on her first lap. OK, I tell myself that I have to pass 10 cyclists...I stopped counting at
15...go me! Every cyclist I passed, I did my usual Bella Encouragement of "Keep the pedals moving" or "forward momentum!"
"Keep it up!" "Looking strong!" I love being a Bella and having the "Love the jersey" comment come
from behind me as I pass someone... I never played leap frog with anyone this year. If I saw someone in
my sights, I reeled her in and took her over....left her in my dust. I was only passed by 2 people in the
first lap, and no one else. Not bad...although, I should have trained more. Next year....this was after all, my
"year off".
Into T2...I'm going to try something new...I hear my bellas cheer me on through
the last little part of the ride, and here I go...undo the shoes, pull feet out, feet on top of shoes...ride into
transition...hop off....without falling! I did it! yeaye! First time for that! I totally need some Tri
shoes! Next on my shopping list.
Pitter Patter, Pitter Patter....all of the way to the bike rack (OWIE! I stepped on SO many stones...). Rack the
bike, change the shoes, don't forget to take off your helmet, put on the hat...go! Out of the transition area
under 2:00 each time! First time for that too! Out of the chute to the las 2 miles....Bella Whoot Whoots and
high fives to be given ;) I'm feeling dead legs...but I push on. 1 mile marker...huh? what? are my eyes reading
that right? am I malnourished? what???? 7:30 pace again?!?!? I'm kidding myself, right? Last year I was
almost at 9:00 miles this part. Ok, don't think about it, keep going how I feel I can go. Seems like the finish
line approached quickly, and I was making the last hair pin turn...that's when the emotion of "fighting" really hit
me, I give a shout to my bellas - "this one is for you" (you know who you are)...I crossed the finish
line with my last typical "kick" and my arms raised upward - just like the Irongirl Logo Grace - fight strong.
I did beat my time from last year by a minute, (I was slower on the bike this year - doh!) 9th of 138 women in
my age group, 61 of 802 overall. I think this year there were more elite athletes or something was different -
the fastest person this year was 1 minute longer than her time last year, the person who finished 3rd overall
last year was 3 minutes longer and thus in 10th place this year...
Thanks bellas for the support and encouragement.
Thanks to my Thom for the great hug at the finish line.
Thanks to Judy for being a super coordinator of the race.
Next weekend is my last duathlon and race for the year---then it's onto Sweden where I'll begin another
challenge. Next year - Border to Border with Paul - ride 200 miles on the first day, ride 200 miles the 2nd day,
run 50 miles the 3rd day, canoe 50 miles the 4th day. Southern MN border to the northern MN border in 4
days - that will be a great race!
Ride on,
KP
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Surgery Recovery and Travel Prep
So, Thom had his sports hernia operated on and fixed on Friday. The surgery was very quick and successful - the recovery...well...as one of his friends told him, the recovery is the hardest part. He's on day 2 of the recovery and seems to be doing ok. When he coughs, it hurts. When he stands up, it hurts...so, it's kind of nice that the football season started today so he can sit in front of the TV and watch some sports. How much longer until the NHL starts??! I'm glad we got a nice pull out bed on the couch - we've been spending a lot of time there in the past 2 days!
I finished the paperwork for the Visa/Work Permit for Sweden this week. That's quite a process. I'm waiting to see if I will have it back with the decision in enough time for me just to fly directly to Stockholm, or if I will have to fly to NYC to pick up my passport with Visa and Work Permit stamp in it. I was waiting for all of the documents from work before I submitted, otherwise, I was ready to submit about a month ago. It's quite the expensive process too I must add. wowie! Oh well...I never thought the whole experience would come without a price tag on it.
I have yet to find a place to live - that's a bit more nerve wrecking! I have a friend/co-worker that is in Sweden that is trying to help me search the postings there - like our Craigslist - but that's a bit scary for me to do. Thank goodness Anders is there to help!
I have pretty much figured that I'm only going to pack my clothes and gear bag - I can't imagine I'm going to need too much more for 6 months that I can't buy while I'm there. I'm hoping to find a place that is furnished...we'll see though because that's an addition to the price tag.
Wedding plans - Not much has changed on those - we are still thinking a beach wedding in Miami and then jumping on a Cruise Ship with our families right afterwards. We will probably have the ceremony the last weekend of October in 2009. We will then have the Blessing of the Marriage at the Basilica here some time after that and a reception. We have our first Marriage Encounter retreat with the church next week, so we're looking forward to that.
Well, that's about it for today. Hope all of you are doing hunkey dorey!
Ciao~
KP
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