Hello 6 readers!

Jim and I finally made it out to Chicago this weekend. We left Saturday morning and headed straight to Macy’s to create our wedding registry. I had it in my mind this was about to be the greatest shopping experience ever! Here’s how it went:

My head:

Shopping Mecca. Macy’s is located in the old Marshal Fields and is the 2nd largest department store in the world. We would go in and be fawned over. They would pour us a glass of champagne and give us the gun and Jim and I would wind through islands of Waterford and Baccarat scan barcodes like a game of laser tag. We would spend the afternoon purchasing everything we ever wanted for our home in the most glamorous of department stores. We would have a hoity-toity lunch and have the valet bring around the car. 

What happened:

The valet doesn’t want to take our car until I promise him we will be over 2 hours. We are sent to the sixth floor, which is a gorgeous trip looking down over the marble fountain and watching each floor after the next promises lands of finery. Debbie in the registry department is sweet and sends us with our scanner and tells us everything for the home is on that same floor. She says when we are ready, there is food available in the basement. Jim and I spend almost two hours wandering around the sixth floor trying to checks items off the list. But you cannot find just one thing. If we want to find sheets, we have to go through every retailers section of home supplies. I cannot just look at sheets. And the people wandering around to help are with the labels, not Macys, so they can only tell you about their product. Sensory-overload! Much of the display was not priced and poorly described. Though there was a fork, spoon, and knife showing, the description was 5ppl. This said to me, 5 of each. Oh no, stupid girl, that means it is 5 pieces, 2 forks, 2 spoons, and a knife. (Why don’t you display 5 pieces if it has 5 pieces?!?) One set, yes folks, one set, was over $100, seriously?!? Who needs a $20 salad fork? Jim decided I needed food, so we headed to the basement. Guess what? The basement had all of the regular people home stuff. That’s where my Martha Stewart bakeware was, that’s where my Simple Human trash can was, why didn’t Debbie tell us this? We had a beer and a plate of nachos and got ready to begin scanning in the basement. My the time we felt like we settled on everything I told Jim and had to run fast and far. 

State Street Macy’s is not the lavish shopping experience promised in the movies of yesteryear. Though there are quaint pieces that remind you of the old Marshall Fields, like the marble bubblers and the wrought iron stair wells, this is still a Macy’s. The same, we are going to over-charge you in the hopes that our name still means something to people, way. The way that makes you feel dirty and unsatisfied after what was supposed to be a perfectly lovely shopping experience. Go to Nordstron folks, do it for those of us who cannot, they treat you better.

Later that evening, Jim and I hooked up with some friends and had a great time shopping and bar hopping through Michigan and Rush Streets. After sleeping in this morning we decided we were not at all excited about things we registered for at Macy’s and we needed to start over. So after a quick trip to the Museum of Science and Industry, and a 45 minute Omnimax video on tornados, we headed over to Crate and Barrel. Crate and Barrel was amazing, we had a blast and really found all of the pieces to create a home as husband and wife. They even gave us a present! Macy’s didn’t give us a present (I’m just sayin’). 

So that’s it folks. We tried to register at a Macy’s, so everyone could find one in their town, but it didn’t work out. So crate and Barrel it is. Of course we have our other online registry at well. And when in Chicago, go to the museum of Science and Industry. It was incredible…I mean, you have to push the little kids out of the way, but other than that, it rocked!

I drank nasty apple cider vinegar three times yesterday and my cough is still persistent. Shame on me for thinking any differently! :(

Ok internet, I have been coughing with intermittent laryngitis for 8 days now. I am over swallowing gallows of cough syrup and I don’t want to throw money away to get a z-pack from a doctor that makes me feel worse than I do now. The internet says apple cider vinegar is a cure-all for all things sinus related…tastes like crap but stay tuned to see if it really works…

So you see what happened was…

Many of you know I have an ongoing Sconnie winter bucket list in my head. Last year I went sledding for the first time, ice skating outside (when you’re from Texas you only know ice skating to take place in the fancy mall), and learned to knit. Many items remain and Jim is helping me slowly check them off the list.

This winter has begun with one of my chart toppers; cut down our own tree. A middle schooler I am tutoring is working at a local tree farm owned by one of the women I knit with and we went out to support. SUnday began with Jim cutting down a tree for me. (I think he secretly wants to be a lumberjack…I mean, who doesn’t?)

I had it in my head to not go overboard, I didn’t need one of the big trees, just a medium sized one. The problem is that “medium” is relative. Our medium sized tree is at least 11 feet tall! It’s a good thing Yoda lights up.

Last weekend Jim and I made our third trip to Columbus, Ohio for the year. Though we were there under sad circumstances, we had a wonderful visit with his family. Jim’s aunt and uncle were kind enough to allow us a place to rest our heads, pounds of homemade Polish sausage, and let us shoot a gun. We really spent the entire weekend eating. 

Between, Jim, his sister and brother-in law, and me, we managed to spend $35 at White Castle, followed by 3 large pizzas at Donatos, a 5 serving dish of Skyline chili, and a Bob Evans breakfast. Did I mention the homemade Polish sausage. Let’s just say being in the North does terrible things to a waistline. :)

I am Ironman.

Okay, so it is finally over. I could not be more grateful to be finished with this race! After 5 months of 2-4 hour a day training, 6 days a week, I feel like I can finally get a bit of rest for my body. I want to say thank you to my parents and JIm’s parents for coming all the way to sconnieland to cheer me on all day! Let’s not forget Jim who dealt with all of my crazy pre-race jitters and post race stench for the car ride home. And Lin and Sam, you too, are on my list of thanks for coming out and making me a glitter sign! Let’s see if I can remember everything…

We began on Saturday by driving out to Racine, picking up my packet, checking in my bike, and listening to the pre-race talk for athletes. It is a bit nerve-racking to leave your bike in a large pit for strangers to babysit over night. But after looking around to the hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of bicycles, I do not think Ringo would be the bike anyone would choose to steal. However, after how she treated me race day, I wouldn’t pick any other bike in the world!

Sunday started with a 3:00 am wake-up call. The hotel was kind enough to have breakfast ready by 4:00 am for all of the athletes. Jim dropped me off at transition by 5:30 am and I began getting my cubby area ready. Pumped my tires, laid out my Gu, and began with the butterflies in my stomach. I got to talking to one of the girls 3 bikes down who had finished the race the past 3 years. I instantly hooked onto her and  we hung out until our wave began at 8:05. That’s the thing with this race, it actually started at 7:00 am and you had to be out of transition by 6:30, but I had to wait for all of the waves scheduled before me. So my new best friend, Debbie, and I walked the necessary 1 mile down the beach to the swim start and hung out. About 30 minutes before our start we donned our wetsuits and jumped in Lake Michigan to get used to the 68 degree water temp. The water is frigid, you are strapped in a full body neoprene suit, and surrounded by 100 strangers all trying to get there first, it was a bit scary. The horn blew and I began swimming. Every few strokes you need to sight the buoy and ensure you are on the right line, the rest of the time I am watching for the screeching eels who grow louder right before they feed. I had one person swim over me, another kick me in the face, and countless just flailing all around. But it didn’t matter. I wan’t racing anyone but myself. I took my time, slow and steady, and focused on my breath and saving my legs. I would say a few Our Fathers and a Hail Mary and would pass another buoy. Soon enough I was ready to stand up and run out of the water.

No one told me I would have to run 0.2 miles through the sand just to reach transition. And before you enter transition you lay down in the sand so someone can rip your wetsuit off. Enter transition barefoot and covered in sand, I slide on my bike shorts over my tri-suit, take a swig off Gatorade, and quickly walk my bike out of transition. Poor girl next to me had a flat as soon as she got on her bike. Straight uphill and I am off to a leisurely ride through the uber rolling hills of Racine.

To everyone who told me this course was flat, I have one word for you, LIAR! 56 miles of rolling hils and temperatures approaching the 90s. Ringo was amazing! She preformed like a pro on this course. I had to dismount only twice, once to use the oh-so-disgusting port-a-potty and the second time to get more Gu out of my under-seat bike pouch. Funny thing about the ride is the wind was in my face at all times. I would head out thinking its okay to go against the wind uphill because the ride back will be downhill with the wind at my back. For those of you who have spent any time on a bike at sconnieland knows this to be a fallacy. THe wind changes direction so often, it is always destined to be in your face. Whatever, 56 miles later and all I could think is Ringo I love you but you have got to go!

Transition post ride was easy. Slip on the running shoes and grab more Gu. As I was running out of transition I forgot I still had my bike shorts on, oops! Off with the shoes, through shorts where I might find them post race and back on track.

The run wasn’t bad. The wonderful people of Racine had there sprinkles set up for us and were hosing down runners with the garden hose as we passed. At this point the weather was in the 90s and full sun. Two laps, there and back and the turn around was 10 yards from the finish line, talk about a teaser. I found this great woman from Chicago who was downing a 5-1 interval and I decided to chill with her. We were together from about mile 3 to 9 when I had to use the ladies room again. Seriously, super gross to have to take off a tri-suit in an athlete port-a-potty and then have to put it back on. Let’s not forget, I am still covered in sand! Anyway, I caught up to my pace setter and saw Debbie, who I started with. I cranked up the gas and caught up with her as well. I saw my family for the 6th or 7th time just before mile 13 and knew it was over. I picked up my knees and sprinted into the finishers area!

Thank you to mine and Jim’s family for being in the 90 degree heat for me all day and for taking me out to celebrate! I wanted to finish within the 8 hr 30 min cutoffs, but somehow pulled out a 7:55:27. For training by myself with no coaching and being out there all alone, I am super proud of my time. Sure, lots people are faster, but I can still call myself an Ironman!

I completed part of the Madison Aquathon Series tonight as a final stage in my race preparation. Seeing as how I have never swam in a wetsuit, or in open water. I thought it would be wise to practice both prior to next week’s half Ironman. Boy am I glad I did. Tonight’s race consisted of a 1K swim in the murky waters of Lake Mendota, followed by a 5K run.

When renting the wetsuit they told me I was on the line of small/medium. If you are ever told this, take the medium! I took the small, as everything else I wear is small. This does not hold true in the triathlon world. 200 meters in and I was unable to breath. I considered turning back and tread water for a minute or two before I decided if I couldn’t get over this what would I do when something goes wrong in the race, so I pushed on. My heart rate was pounding due to the snugness of the suit and it was only elevated every time my face ran through the algae growing from the bottom of the lake. I felt as if I was in the Tri-Wizard Tournament and no one gave me Gillyweed. I have never been more happy to exit the water. I finished the swim in about 22 minutes and had a 2 minute transition. Wetsuits are hard to take off! A slow 5K later and I was ready to mark one more training workout off the list.

7 more workouts and 2 off days until the race. I am happy to have had the foresight to do this race first and even happier to be finished with it!

My friend Tracy was kind enough to invite me to see the 357 String Band at the Sh*tty Barn in Spring Green last Wednesday. The band consists of a standup bass player, a banjo/harmonica, a guitar, and a steel guitar/mandolin player. They were awesome, I felt like I was at Gruene Hall on a Thursday night with a watching Brazil Billy. For those of you who know me, you know this quite possibly could be one of the greatest days ever! I found myself remembering a Tuesday night in the early Spring at the bar in the Luckenbach, Texas in front of the potbelly stove.

Normally I find at least one band member to have a crush on for the night. I am not sure if it was my immense love and devotion for Jim or just the fact that they were all wearing either wife beaters with hairy chests or beards to mask that they are babies that had me listening more than looking. We are returning next Wednesday to see the Melismatics, an Indy band with lead singer that shows a bit more promise in the looks area. We shall see up close and personal…maybe I just need to let Jim grow his hair out again. Sorry Carlie, I thought it looked awesome! :)

Almost every Wednesday this tiny barn puts on an intimate show and sells out with enough room for everyone to bring a chair. They have a huge charcoal grill in back and you can bring your own bbq. Beer costs $2 or $3 and there is no air conditioning or heat. The walls are lined with art that makes no sense, little farm animals and pirating smurfs. If you are visiting us in the Summer and here on a Wednesday night tell me to take you to the Sh*tty Barn.

Where to begin? I am finished apologizing for taking forever to post, let’s face it…the summer has come and Jim and I are busy living our lives, that we run out of time to talk about it. Fair enough? So I will just jump in, stop me if you have questions…

Sconnie-versary

Well it happened, Jim and I have been here over a year! THat is 365 days of Sconnie weather. I am now trying to keep myself from saying I’m not from here. Sure, the accent still gives it away, but I figure I have experienced all Sconnieland can throw at me weather-wise so I can no longer be surprised. Mind you I say I can no longer be surprised, I can still cry about it. In fact, I reserve the right to cry about it to anyone who will listen between the months of November and May.

Anyway, that is not what I originally set out to tell you…Jim and I decided to celebrate our 1 year Sconnieversary in style…that’s right…in a 25 year old tent! SO what that the tent is old, it still works. New tents wear out too fast, this beautiful khaki-green, Timberland, 4-man tent still keeps the mosquitos out while letting the sunshine in. Init ain’t broke don’t fix it, right?

We went NorthEast of Madtown and found ourselves in Kettle Moraine State Forest. We took the bikes and rode about 15 miles and learned a lot about kettles, and dames, and how Sconnieland used to be covered in Glaciers (no wonder it’s so freaking cold here!). Sergio, you would have loved it! We had a beautiful campsite and perfect weather, who could ask for anything more?

p.s.—if you have a baby who still cries every morning at 4 a.m., don’t take it camping…seriously people, no one wants to wake up to that every morning while camping

Louisvile…

…well, actually Brandenburg. A few weeks ago I went to Brandenburg, Kentucky to visit a BFF, Lori. Most of you know Lori has been living the good life of world-traveling Army wife, and has been out of the country for the past 5 years. So they finally moved home this year and happen to be a quick 9 hours away in KY. I know, I know, 9 hours isn’t exactly a day trip, but it’s a heck of a lot closer than Korea or Germany! It was great, I taught her to ride a bike and she taught me to run faster. We spent about 4 days cooking, drinking wine, working out, and giggling. Her husband was very patient with the giggling.

Avalon

My beautiful, perfect, somewhat cone-headed, amazing, niece arrived on June 10th! I get to go home and meet her in August and cannot wait. My sister-in-law is sending daily pictures that make me wish I could reach through the computer and snatch her away, she is so awesome. All of my friends out there who have kids have been wondering if I care about them just a little bit less now, but its really not true. Alena, Arianna, and Laynie are still in my heart, it just grew bigger to make new room for Avalon. But people’s kids that I don’t know, yeah, still don’t care for them so much. Love my family and friends kids, but stranger’s kids are just unnecessary in my life…its probably due from too many years in the restaurant industry. Anyway, Avalon is awesome and I am super excited to wear the new hat of Fairy Godmother Auntie Valerie…oh and Jim is excited to, he is an uncle for the first time (or will be in 10.5 months).

Training

So my race is in 23 days. I am in week 17 of a 20 week training plan and I am exhausted. Everyone keeps saying that I must feel great…really?!? I must? Not so much, I am just tired. I mean, sure I’m awesome and all, but I am ready to do this thing already. Anyone out there who has ever run a marathon, or any big race, knows that the training just becomes annoying and you just want to do it. I am there, this is my biggest week before the race and I begin tapering next week. This week is as follows:

Monday - 90 minute bike (this was great, Sam did part of it with me and let me push the pace, I did just over 21 miles and it felt good the whole way)

Tuesday - 60 minute swim and 60 minute run (this too rocked! I did a 20 minute negative split during the swim and kept up a 10.5 minute mile even with a bit of walking)

Wednesday - 2 hour bike (amazing! I did 29 miles in just over 2 hours battling 13 mph winds and got stuck in a downpour for about 10 minutes. I felt good the whole way, I love riding in this city)

Thursday - 60 minute swim and 50 minute run (This was hard, the swim was a drag and I just didn’t want to do it the whole way. It took me an hour of sitting in running gear and staring at the path just to motivate to walk across the street and run. I managed to keep a 10:20 minute mile pace but I whined in my head the whole time)

Friday - 3.5 hour ride (I am super excited to be finished with this ride later today. My goal is to do a figure 8 around the two big lakes. I need to ride at least 44 miles in this time to know I can finish the bike portion of the race in my allotted time…wish me luck…I hope the rain clouds go away)

Saturday - 40 minute swim and 110 minute run (hopefully this will work out am knots I get from the ride)

Both my parents and Jim’s parents are working on coming for the race, which will be awesome! I of course made reservations at a steak house here in town for the post race meal, as I will not be cooking. In fact I may not even be walking, but I will be having a celebratory cocktail. I figure if I could dance at the Copacabana after my miserable 1st New York marathon, I can make it out to dinner after this race. Besides, I get to eat anything I want and not feel guilty after an 8 and a half hour workout, right?

Well, that’s about it…the past month at a glance. Jim and I are going to the Jimmy Buffet concert this Saturday because I won free tickets on the radio. And Saturday, I am going to hear a local Sconnie country band at a place called The Shitty Barn, super stoked, it looks like Gruene! Hope everyone out there in computer screen land is well. Oh, one last note, if you didn’t get your save the date yet for the wedding, I probably do not have the right address for you, it has been fun seeing everyone’s refrigerators sporting the burnt orange!