Thursday, May 28, 2009
Auburn California this Sunday :) Can't wait
So the course starts in Folsom Lake for a 1/2 mile swim. The bike course is going to be hardest, with 8 miles and 6 of them as we gain 1000 feet in elevation. Finally, a 2 mile run, gaining even more in elevation. Sounds like they have a lot of goodies and water/snack spots. I don't know that I'll stick around for the other distance races, but I guess we'll see how I feel in the moment. Looking forward to spending the night in downtown Auburn and seeing a little of it while I'm there.
King of Queens and other stuff
Tonight I decided to switch on the TV while getting some work done. King of Queens was on and I got roped in, laughing like crazy. What a darling show. :) That's one I wouldn't mind getting on a DVD series.
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I picked up my bike tonight from the bike shop and next week I go back for a better fitting. He did a preliminary one today and as I got on it tonight and rode around the neighborhood, I was kickin' booty. Wow! This was definitely worth it!
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I'm tired of not feeling connected to a local church. When I'm in Reno, I usually go to Hillside. I love the people there and through my family, they have become like family too. I'm enjoying a Monday night Bible Study at a friends house too, but I guess I'm holding out for when I move to Sacramento area in the late Summer before putting in roots. It's still a bit of an unaligned feeling in that department.
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I'm looking for an older Toyota 4 Runner to drive back and forth across the mountain when I move to Sacramento. I'm also going to MAACO tomorrow to look into getting the VW a paint job. Originally I was thinking a shimmery light blue. But of late, I've decided that I really like that crushed orange color that you see on a lot of newer vehicles. I guess we'll see what they've got.
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I'm excited about the Sprint Tri this Sunday. It's going to be a very early morning race, so I guess I'll be glad to have the rest of Sunday free. I've already got my sites on some options for the next ones. I really love the distances and the combination of run, bike, swim.
----------
I picked up my bike tonight from the bike shop and next week I go back for a better fitting. He did a preliminary one today and as I got on it tonight and rode around the neighborhood, I was kickin' booty. Wow! This was definitely worth it!
----------
I'm tired of not feeling connected to a local church. When I'm in Reno, I usually go to Hillside. I love the people there and through my family, they have become like family too. I'm enjoying a Monday night Bible Study at a friends house too, but I guess I'm holding out for when I move to Sacramento area in the late Summer before putting in roots. It's still a bit of an unaligned feeling in that department.
----------
I'm looking for an older Toyota 4 Runner to drive back and forth across the mountain when I move to Sacramento. I'm also going to MAACO tomorrow to look into getting the VW a paint job. Originally I was thinking a shimmery light blue. But of late, I've decided that I really like that crushed orange color that you see on a lot of newer vehicles. I guess we'll see what they've got.
----------
I'm excited about the Sprint Tri this Sunday. It's going to be a very early morning race, so I guess I'll be glad to have the rest of Sunday free. I've already got my sites on some options for the next ones. I really love the distances and the combination of run, bike, swim.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
I didn't see it coming...
Driving to Mammoth, CA on Monday, I really didn't see it coming.
Here's a quick insight into what I'm talking about.
Over 15 years ago, I was on staff with a church in Reno. In the middle of it all, one of the associate pastor's moved to Chico and started a church, the other one moved to Mammoth. In addition, another couple I was going to see in Mammoth have been in my life for a long time from Reno days.
Throughout the years, these families have been anchors for me. They are faithful, steadfast and true to that vision Christ imparted, to love Him and to love others. They've built wonderful community churches, they've raised children who love Christ and they are happily married, held bible studies and pre-marriage classes out of their own wealth of life and love.
I don't want to say I've lowered my expectations, but in a way I have. If you've read my blog for any length of time, you probably know I love doing adventurous things. I'm often chided by the rest of the family for not sticking around Reno, but there have been some unique things that I believe God has called me to do and I've enjoyed it. It's not difficult for me to catch a "global vision" or to trust that somehow God can make a world changer out of me. I actually love that stuff and I wholeheartedly believe it, despite what critics say. Yet more recently I've realized that I can change the world just as much when I find that good man, marry him and build a great life together. Marriage is being attacked like I've never seen before and this is the adventure of a lifetime, to love that one individual and build a healthy marriage and life with that person. Unbelievably world changing, I would have to say, especially when everyone's is falling apart at the seams!!
While driving, I couldn't help rehearse all the blowouts that I've heard about since I returned to Reno. People leaving their marriages. Families falling apart. Churches disintegrating, all within the last 5 years. And I've overheard major overtones of cynicism for all things church related. I've had my own moments of cynicism in the church but then I'm reminded that Christ loves His people. These are people I have known, loved, served with and it just sucks to now hear their lives have blown up in a bad way.
Don't get me wrong. I know life happens and things can get tough. But what about being in the race for the long haul? Like I said in my header, it's not about how well you start, but how well you finish.....
I appreciate biblical analogies to the athletic world because it takes a steadfast, faithful person who is willing to put discipline into their life to accomplish anything athletically. I'm sure that's why all of us get inspired watching sports, unless maybe it's the uniforms or the equipment. But I digress.
I don't think I'm a very emotional person. It's not like I cry often, although if someone is telling me what has happened to them and I connect with their pain, I will probably tear up, shed a few tears and pray that they feel very loved. I am definitely in touch with my femininity and that nurturing thing but in general when it comes to things, I can easily press forward without stopping to feel and experience things.
So as I drove the 3 hours to Mammoth, I did a lot of praying for family and friends. I also had fun driving my brother's 4-runner and blasting music. As I was thinking about my friends who are steadfast, that refreshing breath of life still on their head, my heart breathed deeply of something I can't explain and then I began to weep. I wondered what happened to the others. Honestly, you could see some of it coming. From what I've read about marriage (and I'm obviously not an expert as I've never been married), it seems that little acts of selfishness pile up to become mountains. That makes sense to me. Slowly you begin to drift away and before you know it, someone has checked out. Still, I wept. And I prayed.
When I arrived to see my friends, Eric and Peggy Stovesand, I actually had a minor meltdown. Cried a few tears with her.
Nope, I didn't see it coming.
** From this teary episode, I decided I'd like to do some research on war veterans and what they experience emotionally and psychologically because I began to realize that the picture I associate in my mind with the people whose lives have blown out is a picture of a war torn area in Reno, with blood and guts. I know. Interesting, but this is how my mind works....And I didn't see it coming.
Here's a quick insight into what I'm talking about.
Over 15 years ago, I was on staff with a church in Reno. In the middle of it all, one of the associate pastor's moved to Chico and started a church, the other one moved to Mammoth. In addition, another couple I was going to see in Mammoth have been in my life for a long time from Reno days.
Throughout the years, these families have been anchors for me. They are faithful, steadfast and true to that vision Christ imparted, to love Him and to love others. They've built wonderful community churches, they've raised children who love Christ and they are happily married, held bible studies and pre-marriage classes out of their own wealth of life and love.
I don't want to say I've lowered my expectations, but in a way I have. If you've read my blog for any length of time, you probably know I love doing adventurous things. I'm often chided by the rest of the family for not sticking around Reno, but there have been some unique things that I believe God has called me to do and I've enjoyed it. It's not difficult for me to catch a "global vision" or to trust that somehow God can make a world changer out of me. I actually love that stuff and I wholeheartedly believe it, despite what critics say. Yet more recently I've realized that I can change the world just as much when I find that good man, marry him and build a great life together. Marriage is being attacked like I've never seen before and this is the adventure of a lifetime, to love that one individual and build a healthy marriage and life with that person. Unbelievably world changing, I would have to say, especially when everyone's is falling apart at the seams!!
While driving, I couldn't help rehearse all the blowouts that I've heard about since I returned to Reno. People leaving their marriages. Families falling apart. Churches disintegrating, all within the last 5 years. And I've overheard major overtones of cynicism for all things church related. I've had my own moments of cynicism in the church but then I'm reminded that Christ loves His people. These are people I have known, loved, served with and it just sucks to now hear their lives have blown up in a bad way.
Don't get me wrong. I know life happens and things can get tough. But what about being in the race for the long haul? Like I said in my header, it's not about how well you start, but how well you finish.....
I appreciate biblical analogies to the athletic world because it takes a steadfast, faithful person who is willing to put discipline into their life to accomplish anything athletically. I'm sure that's why all of us get inspired watching sports, unless maybe it's the uniforms or the equipment. But I digress.
I don't think I'm a very emotional person. It's not like I cry often, although if someone is telling me what has happened to them and I connect with their pain, I will probably tear up, shed a few tears and pray that they feel very loved. I am definitely in touch with my femininity and that nurturing thing but in general when it comes to things, I can easily press forward without stopping to feel and experience things.
So as I drove the 3 hours to Mammoth, I did a lot of praying for family and friends. I also had fun driving my brother's 4-runner and blasting music. As I was thinking about my friends who are steadfast, that refreshing breath of life still on their head, my heart breathed deeply of something I can't explain and then I began to weep. I wondered what happened to the others. Honestly, you could see some of it coming. From what I've read about marriage (and I'm obviously not an expert as I've never been married), it seems that little acts of selfishness pile up to become mountains. That makes sense to me. Slowly you begin to drift away and before you know it, someone has checked out. Still, I wept. And I prayed.
When I arrived to see my friends, Eric and Peggy Stovesand, I actually had a minor meltdown. Cried a few tears with her.
Nope, I didn't see it coming.
** From this teary episode, I decided I'd like to do some research on war veterans and what they experience emotionally and psychologically because I began to realize that the picture I associate in my mind with the people whose lives have blown out is a picture of a war torn area in Reno, with blood and guts. I know. Interesting, but this is how my mind works....And I didn't see it coming.
I'm a kid in a candy shop! :)
I feel like a kid in a candy shop! I just bought this bike on ebay!! Woo hoo!!
I've been dreaming about getting a very basic level Triathlon bike for about two years now. The bike I'm using here in the states is really cruddy. I have put some work and money into it, took it to the local bike shop here. I took the bike with me on the trip to Mammoth this week, and it did horribly, the brakes are bad, the gears are worse and to get it fixed, I would be throwing more money into an old junker. I've already spent about $100 on this bike since I've been home and just don't want to throw my money away.
Well, I have been searching, looking and waiting for something that I can afford as you may know that tri bikes are a ridiculous expense, especially the more avid a Triathlon you become. Well, I just wanted something to get me started. I read the reviews on this bike and the only thing I'm worried about is that it's aluminum versus carbon. I could have paid $200 more for carbon, but I really just wanted to get the basic level bike for starters.
I ended up using some of the fundage set aside to get an older forerunner before I move to Sacramento in the late summer. It just means I'll be driving the VW a little longer and getting it a MAACO paint job. :)
I'm a kid in a candy shop today!!
Monday, May 11, 2009
Mother's Day :)
Yesterday I spent Mother's Day at Walley's Hot Springs with three beautiful women whose lives I'm excited to celebrate. Through their lives, I've had glimpses of what it means to wear the many hats that most women wear as wifey, mama, maid, encourager, etc., the list goes on.
I think the thing that has inspired me the most about these ladies in my life is that all three of them have figured out ways to keep a positive perspective on all that life throws them. Sometimes in life there are unseen challenges and how you get through those things determines what the next season of life is like.
I don't know what it's like to have a husband or children whom you're inter-dependent upon and I don't know the joys and challenges that come with it. Don't get me wrong, I'm finally at a place in life where I'd like to know, but until that happens I am a people watcher. I love to observe how others get through things and how they enjoy things. My turn will come! I have no doubts.
It was wonderful to sit and soak in the hot springs and talk with these beautiful women in my life. My mom set the bar when it comes to being positive, looking for ways to overcome in life, etc. And my two sisters, with very different lives are also doing a terrific job. Happy Mother's Day to three very beautiful women. :)
I think the thing that has inspired me the most about these ladies in my life is that all three of them have figured out ways to keep a positive perspective on all that life throws them. Sometimes in life there are unseen challenges and how you get through those things determines what the next season of life is like.
I don't know what it's like to have a husband or children whom you're inter-dependent upon and I don't know the joys and challenges that come with it. Don't get me wrong, I'm finally at a place in life where I'd like to know, but until that happens I am a people watcher. I love to observe how others get through things and how they enjoy things. My turn will come! I have no doubts.
It was wonderful to sit and soak in the hot springs and talk with these beautiful women in my life. My mom set the bar when it comes to being positive, looking for ways to overcome in life, etc. And my two sisters, with very different lives are also doing a terrific job. Happy Mother's Day to three very beautiful women. :)
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Good Idea Larry
I found myself in Walley's heated 12 meter pool, swimming laps Thursday and Friday morning. Thursday I swam 500 meters and a 3 mile run and Friday I did 700 meters. The race in Auburn is a 500 meter open water swim and I'm hoping to build up endurance over the next few weeks to double the endurance. Larry was in the pool and was quite chatty. Larry is 70 something and has survived seven accidents. He's very knowledgeable about health fitness and I appreciated our conversations, although I had to meet someone in Reno and his chattiness had me running late. Didn't know how to shut down this lonely hearts club member. I'm sure I'll see Larry a lot more in the early mornings. He uses the workout room and the pools every morning, faithfully at Walley's.
I'm not worried about biking although I definitely have to get the bike in better working order. I didn't have any trouble on the biking portion of the Sprint Tri last time so I'm not too worried about it. Plus, it's only 8 miles, although it's a hillier course.
I'm most worried about the run portion because it will be a hilly course and my knee hasn't been to full recovery. Larry suggested I use the treadmill to make it more low-impact training and just add an increased incline. Good idea, Larry. I like Larry. He's got good ideas....
I'm not worried about biking although I definitely have to get the bike in better working order. I didn't have any trouble on the biking portion of the Sprint Tri last time so I'm not too worried about it. Plus, it's only 8 miles, although it's a hillier course.
I'm most worried about the run portion because it will be a hilly course and my knee hasn't been to full recovery. Larry suggested I use the treadmill to make it more low-impact training and just add an increased incline. Good idea, Larry. I like Larry. He's got good ideas....
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