Since I’ve been in a bloggy funk – I thought it was appropriate to update you on a few things that have been happening around my crazy filled life…

Work:
As I stated yesterday, work has been crazy.  I also started the second of three classes that will earn me my professional designation of ARM, Associate in Risk Management.  I know I’m a nerd…. Between that and managing an entire 4 state territory all by my lonesome I’ve been jammed packed with requests for quotes for international insurance and servicing our already existing account base.  Enough with the nerdy insurance talk…

House:
Days on Market: 64
# of showings: 13...which averages to approximately 1.44 showings per week.
# of price decreases: 2

My loving sister, Anna, repainted my kitchen for me over the last two days.  Apparently people don’t like the color grasscloth as much as I do.  My kitchen was soooo cute – but now it’s Brown Teepee; still cute (same color as my living room) but not FUN green!  Hoping this entices more buyers and makes the house more “turnkey” – coupled with the price decrease, the end of school and the summer approaching I’m hoping my house sells F.A.S.T.

Car:
I bought a new ride.  It’s pretty sweet if I do say so myself.  A 2009 Honda pilot touring edition; Gray on the inside, Gray on the outside. (to the tune of “cream on the inside; clean on the outside – ice cream, ice cream, ice cream paint job” – anyone with me on that?) Anyway…

It’s a dark gray on the outside and light gray leather interior, navigation, Bluetooth, six CD changer, power seats, windows and doors…third row seating and enough room for the doggies!!!!  I got a great deal on it at Sewell Cadillac in Grapevine – so if you are looking for a car and you are in the area – you should go there…they are awesome!

I’ll post pics soon!

Triathlon
My training has been lax for better terms……. But I’m excited to get back on the band wagon and start training for my Olympic distance race in June.  I've also planned out my race schedule through the end of the year so now I have something to look forward to - and not just training to train with no goal in mind.

Here is what I'm thinking:
June - Olympic Distance Race - Play Tri Festival
July - Olympic Distance Race - Disco Tri
August - Hula Girl Sprint Tri - put on by the FABULOUS Shannon
September - Prairieman 70.3
October - Cheering on Cayla, Jason (and whoever else decideds to race) at the Longhorn 70.3 + Livestrong Challenge for year 3
November - DRC Half
December - Full Marathon!! Either Vegas or White Rock.....depends on funds

I ran 4 miles on Monday, took Tuesday off b/c of work events and rode on my trainer for an hour tonight.  Tomorrow is OWS with Jason and possible others, then run on Friday, bike Sat/Sun (maybe a swim Sunday depending). We are headed to San Antonio on Saturday for Cayla's sisters wedding...so that should be fun!

Other than that .... next weekend, May 21 I'm getting my SPIN CERTIFICATION!  I love spinning...whether on my trainer or at the gym and I love people so combine the two and I thought - HEY what a way to earn a few extra bucks and do what I love!  We shall see how it goes - but I'll keep you all updated.

Now I'm off to make homemade whole wheat pizza and salad for dinner!

Suggestion Box

It's official - my house is on the market today.  AHHHH!! It was a long, exhausting, no time to train weekend.  We started Friday after the handyman left and continued until last night at 7:30pm.  On the list of completed projects:

- new grout in both bathrooms
- freshly painted baseboards and trim
- clean as in " you can eat off every inch of my floor"
- stage the entire house
- pack up everything that wasn't utilized for staging purposes in prep for move to the new house
- switch out washer and dryer (newer ones went to Bill's - older one's are being sold with my house)
- Putty all holes
- paint over all holes
- sand and repaint window seal
- sand and repaint mantel
- steel wool clean the fireplace
- clean all light bulbs and fixtures, fan blades and fixture globes
- clean and degrease oven and cooktop
- clean refrigerator (thanks cayla!)
- Clean and organize the garage
- replace the doorbell


It doesn't look like a lot when I type it out but it was a lot to do.  THANK GOD I had my mom, my sister,  my cousin, Cayla and Bill there to help me or I know for a fact it wouldn't have been completed.

My realtor came this morning, took pictures and is listing it today on the MLS.  Potential buyers - it is turnkey ready to move in - please buy this house - now!

OK - moving on.....

I need suggestions.  I was thinking this weekend, since I've never participated in any kind of endurance race other than a 1/2 mary - I need suggestions from you experienced endurance athletes.

What do I need to get?

i.e. - Gu's (obviously), water, electrolyte drink, etc etc... but what other things do I need that I might not think of.

Recommendations for race attire.... help me develop my 70.3 packing list....... Transition items.... do I need to pack power bars, etc? Do I prepare multiple bags like in an Ironman? Can I change between the bike and run?  (I really, really, really want to wear my padded Pearl Izumi bike shorts rather than my normal tri shorts)

What is some advice you can give me in preparing?  HELP - I'm a list person!!!!!!!

PS - pics of the house and the 80's party to come soon.

Out of my funk Friday

I had a post written that I was going to publish yesterday…. I had a tough {{tough}} day on Wednesday. I woke up not feeling like myself….. Technically I guess about mid-morning I started feeling very down.  Not like depressed – but just down.

I thought to myself all day that “all I needed was a good ride on the trainer”.  Typically a good workout will kick any kind of a funk I’m in.  My funk has been onset by the constant thought that I am in no way prepared for NOLA.  I mean I am – my goodness I’m in my 23rd week of training – I may not be in any kind of shape to win or even place for that matter – but I should certainly be able to FINISH!

It goes in cycles…. One week I think OK I’m prepared I can do the run…. I can do the bike… but that swim…OH THAT SWIM. SHOOT ME NOW!! 

And then I have a good swim workout and I think…..

{As EMZ says}

“I’ve freakin’ got this”

Then….I continue to have issues wrapping my head around 56 FREAKIN’ miles on a bike.  Dear Lord – What on earth have I roped myself into?

Then…I go and have a good ride.

The run – I’m not so worried about.  13.1 miles is A LONG FREAKIN’ way alone – much less after a 56 mile bike AND a 1.2 mile swim.  But I know if I absolutely had to walk every inch of the 13.1 miles I could AT LEAST finish.

So back to Wednesday – I was in this funk.  I’m never going to finish, I’m tired of working out ALL the time, and I’m tired of sacrificing things for training… I’m tired of being tired.

I’m tired of waking up at the ass crack of dawn (even though I haven’t done this in a few weeks)… I’m tired of doing this all by myself.  I was feeling like I lost my triathlon – mojo.

Then I ran yesterday….

If you follow me on twitter (@allie0622) I tweeted about crushing six miles – or having six miles crush me.  I crushed it….with my fastest six mile time to date.  An even 1:00 hr on my Garmin…… My fastest mile was a 9:38. 

I ran at a new place… new scenery motivates me. 

I was at mile three and I saw a lady wearing a shirt, walking, with Mickey Mouse on the back and I thought of Lesley and Wifey.... at mile 4 I saw a lady with abs like EMZ , then at mile 5 I saw a dude wearing RED shoes that reminded me of Jason's En fuegos....

Seiously - you were all on my run with me....

Rejuvenated – yes; re-motivated – yes; ready for NOLA –getting there!!!

In other news…

I have a pretty bitchin’ outfit for our 80’s party tomorrow night.  Think bright yellow jeans with a neon geometric print blazer and some pretty awesome boxy shoulder pads.  I will make sure I have pictures for you.

Coming soon with my friend Janette will be a weekly link up segment….. you can link up each week – details to follow – we are hoping to go live in April.  Think inspiration, motivation, dedication, and tribute……..

The house goes on the market on Monday..... anyone need a house in Dallas???????

Baaaaah Baaaah boyfriend....

Can you GET any sweeter?  (in an awesome Chandler voice)

Last night I had had a long day at work (par for the course these days) - Bill had set out rack of lamb to thaw on Monday for Tuesday's dinner.  I came home and he had already marinated the lamb and was about to put it into the oven. 
Fast forward three hours (I'll come back to the details of these three hours in a minute)

He comes home from baseball......I'm on the couch wishing I had stopped and gotten yogurt (YOGURTVILLE!) after the gym.......he busts through the back door, kisses me and heads straight for the kitchen....

2 minutes pass....

He is standing by the couch with Rocky Road ice cream and a spoon........he knows me and MY sweet tooth so well.  How sweet is he? 

So back to dinner...

Bill made the rack of lamb just perfectly and I made the side of asparagus.... but not just ANY asparagus....

Asparagus with Parmesan-lemon vinaigrette.  Sounds delicious doesn't it... (pictures are terrible quality they are from my iphone)
 

Start with Parsley, Parmesan, and onion (or shallot)



Grab some olive oil



and feta



Mix with lemon juice and olive oil



Drizzle olive oil and salt and pepper on the asparagus and roast for 6-10 min under the broiler

Top with vinaigrette

Throw on some feta (b/c I love feta)

And serve......

 I had an awesome run last night at the gym.  I was dreading going after dinner...I was tired, full and really really just wanted to lay on the couch.  But I got up, got dressed and headed for a quick 3 mile.  I've been wanting to break the 10 min. mile hurdle for a while so I try and try and try and push myself every time I run.  My running has backed off lately due to the calf/shin issue and I've had a terrible few weeks of workouts - so I NEEDED a good run.  29:41 - 3 miles - 9:50 mile.  No ipod either.  I'm trying to train myself to run without my ipod since I won't have it at NOLA70.3  they are forbidden in any USAT sanctioned race. 

It's easy on the smaller distance runs....but it's tough on long distances.  I like my music - it motivates me.

But that's beside the point....

I got in a great run, came home showered, caught up on some blogs and waited for Bill to get home to watch Biggest Loser.

I didn't watch the SOTU - I know how un-American - I 'll catch the recaps online today.

For now, I'm off to meet the handyman at my house for a quote for the stuff that needs to  be completed in order to put it up on the market.

Wish me luck!

Let's be friends ok?

Don't be mad that I have taken over a week hiatus from here...it isn't because I don't love you anymore, or that I don't have anything to say (b/c I have a LOT to say ALL THE TIME....ask Bill...he can't get me to shut up), As we all get sometimes I've just been overwhelmed.

I traveled two days last week for work and then was up to my ears from Thursday - Sunday with wedding festivities for SBJ.  I love that girl - and she is married and enjoying her honeymoon in Playa :)  Congrats my friend - you were beautiful!

I had Monday off from work (thanks MLK for your civil rights activities and giving me a three day weekend) - when I returned to the office yesterday my team had been moved to a new location.  I had packed all my stuff up last week -- it was moved over the weekend.  I had a 10 appt with a client - which I had to get some "office stuff" done before I went so I was at work at 7:30am... early for me.

I was swamped all day until 8 pm last night.

I'm still swamped today - but thought I needed to take a few minutes and climb out of my hole and say hello.

Training last week s.u.c.k.e.d. as you can imagine - between traveling and wedding it was a total fail.  This week I got a good 3 mile run in on Monday with some weights and core....Tuesday was a fail b/c of work - but I'm looking forward to a nice 1 hr 45 min. trainer ride tonight.  I plan to sweat this stress out.

In other life news....

I met with a realtor today.  Bill and I are officially moving into together and my house will hopefully be on the market in the next 4 weeks.  I'm ready for this.  It's a big step but one in which I am confident in.  Our relationship is strong our commitment to one another stronger and it makes no sense for me to continue paying a mortgage on a house that I don't step foot in.

My meeting with Chris the realtor today went fantastically.  Of course there are a few cosmetic changes that need to be made which was no surprise to me - I know I've needed to do that for a while.  But other than that structurally all is good.

I had foundation work done by the seller before I moved in, a new roof was put in also.  I have a new water heater, furnace, A/C, central vac and fence.  On paper it looks fantastic and it's going to be priced to sell as well.

I'm ready to get this off my payroll.  So if you want to live in a central location in Dallas with an even better tax break, looking for a 3 bed/2 bath/2 car garage home - I'm your girl.  You may even get a bloggy discount if you mention it :)

Other than those things - it's been pretty par for the course.

What have you been up to?  I'm still trying to catch up on blogs!