So I came home from Colorado to the sunny south…????

My minimum bicycling temperature is about 45 degrees, but sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do.   So I bundled up in:  sports bra, bike jersey, underarmor turtleneck, black pullover, Georgia hoodie, biking jacket, bike shorts, leggings, sweatpants, socks, bike shoes, headband, riding gloves, running gloves, helmet, sunglasses  –  I think that’s all.  I waited til the warmest part of the day, 2:30ish and took off for the Greenway.  I did the usual – Greenway, Battleground, new Gateway stretch, new stretch under Old Fort Parkway.  I finished just about dark and by then it was FREEZING – fingers and toes numb, eyes watering (no ski goggles - they are in Colorado), face tingling, but workout was done!

Colder than I look

No iPod – it doesn’t work well in this cold, but the song in my head was Winter Wonderland…

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Can I please get credit for doing this bigass brick while my family’s susshing down the slopes?  After taking them to the skiier drop-off point, off I go to the gym for my swim/run brick.  I know that’s not the sequence – but remember that   1) I’m all about the flexibility and 2) I hate the stationary bike more than almost anything in the multiverse.

The swim was boring and uneventful, but I swam about 2000 yards (just over an hour), then into the locker room for a quick change (neglected to  bring the trisuit), and upstairs to the treadmill.  I had the iPod, but this treadmill had a television and I lucked up on catching last year’s Stephen Colbert Christmas special, so that kept me entertained for an hour.  Then I transitioned to iPod to finish the workout.  Why the pool faces the mountains, but not the treadmills is kind of a mystery, but whatever.

me SUCKING WIND cuz someone took all the delicious oxygen

I had NO incline on the mill, but had it set at my usual 5.5mph to begin with, but that went by the wayside as soon as I got winded and had to back it down to 5.2.  I got my 8 miles in about 90 minutes and was awfully glad to get off that bad boy and into the shower.  By then it was time to get to the grocery store (on Christmas Eve in a resort town – I had to wait for a shopping cart) to get lasagna stuff for the household.

Yesterday I did end up running outside – that was an adventure.  My son lives in a condo on a golf course, so I hiked to the top, then found a road that was relatively quiet and cleared, and off I went.  Oxygen problems there too, but I got through it.

Ben's condo complex - it's 12 degrees here

Anyway, good brick today.  Can I say that it’s nice to work out in a gym where NO ONE knows who you are?  I got through my workouts completely unmolested except for the creeper who walked in front of my treadmill, oh, maybe 25 times?  I love the social interaction I get in Murfreesboro, but sometimes it comes at the expense of the time I’ve set aside for the workouts.  My fault, I know.

Going home next week for a few days to check on the dogs/mail/business/house/cows/mother-in-law.  (Maybe that’s a little out of sequence) (Maybe not).  I’ll stick my head into the MAC on Tuesday or Wednesday to see that everyone is working off the holiday fudge and boiled custard.

Fave iPod song today:  something by Transiberian Orchestra (can’t remember the name, the iPod is across the room, and I am THAT lazy).  I admit I cheated on that – I chose the two albums I have by them to feel all Christmas-y.

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When I miss several days of blogging, it’s always so important for me to say that even though the accounting has been shabby, the training continues.

I am out with my family (two-thirds of us) at my oldest son’s home in Beaver Creek, Colorado.  We’re combining skiing, Christmas, family time all in one extended month-long visit.  I think that is the long-term scenario when you have a family the size of ours that is as active as ours:  implement a start date and finish date and take what time you can get from each member of the family!  Oldest son Ben is here, of course, daughter Amy from California is here til she must go back to school on Jan 15, daughter Glenda in Europe will come in as flights allow after the New Year, son Sam in New Zealand will try to come around Jan 10.  Hopefully, we’ll have several days when the whole posse is together.  Epic.

In the meantime, even though I enjoy skiing, I’ve made arrangements at the local gym for a temporary membership, and yesterday had a great strength training session/swim workout.  I’d been dormant since the trip out here, so it felt good to get in the pool.  I have the option today of running outside (new snowfall last night, snowing now) or going to the gym and getting on the treadmill (which I despise only slightly less than the stationary bike).  Details to come.

I plan to go home next week for a few days to check on the business, write the payroll, check on the house/dogs/cows, and do some riding, since that’s the one thing I won’t get done out here.  72 days remain between now and raceday.  I think shivers just literally ran right up my spine.

No workout-related pics, but I did get a replacement camera, so I’ll add these just for fun:

New camera! Minneapolis airport on the way out

my girl Amy

construction of the Diet Mt Dew Christmas tree

Amy's new Vibe (Vixie) in her first snowstorm!

Fave random from strength training:  It Ain’t Me Babe, Bob Dylan

Thanks for reading.

Today’s brick was all outside – bike, run, breathe, soak up the rays for a change…

First time on the new bike with the computer (set to kilometres – notice the continental spelling) and the aerobars – the only things that might possibly have made this bicycle EVEN better!  I’m in love with this bike – it is so slick, so smooth, so light, so fast – the Baixbaix rocks.

Started out at the Cannonsburgh Trailhead with Jesse for a little ride in the mud – the last few days’ rain, while good for filling ponds, was hell on the Greenway.  The trail follows right a long the river, so anytime the banks swell at all, all the mud and muck washes over the path, then recedes, then we play slip-slidey through the puddles.  But it didn’t matter, cuz it was bright and sunny outside – even needed the sunglasses.  Because of the mud, we ended up doing a criterium at the Battlefield 6 0r 7 times around, then through the new section by the hospital. After that, we made an attempt at the new section under Old Fort Parkway, where we went about one mile before encountering a puddle I just didn’t want to take the new girl through – she’ll get trashed soon enough, and I just didn’t want all that muck in my chain.  Jesse tried to take a picture of me in the new ski-goggle attire, but we know the camera took a dive on the last ski trip, so, alas, no picture of me when he tried to take it with the malfunctioning equipment.

The ride was a bit slow because of the mud, but we got in about 30, then Jesse bailed and I transitioned to running  (Jesse said he would go eat chips and salsa and think of me while I did it).  The jog was a bit slow too – the new sneaks are FABULOUS too, so I’m just in pig heaven with all my new toys.  I headed out from Cannonsburgh again, toward General Bragg, did a turnaround and finished just short of 6 miles in an hour. 

What a great brick – sunshine, new bike, new shoes, and 81 days, 9 hours, 5 minutes, and 48 seconds to the race.  (Not that I’m obsessing over that little count-down thingy on the website www.ironman.co.nz to  see for yourself).  As always, everyday, life is so very very good.

Random shuffle (well, not exactly; I chose the new Rat Pack Christmas CD I just downloaded)  I’ve Got My Love To Keep Me Warm, Dean Martin.

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Whose idea was it to plan the heaviest training around the holidays??  Doesn’t Ironman New Zealand know this?

Middle Tennessee has also had some pretty brutal weather this past week.  Not a problem when you are strength training or swimming, problem when you are running and biking.  Layering up has become an art form, especially when you throw in a little rain.  Jesse has been skiing with Ben in Colorado and has taken the camera with him, so at this point there is no pictoral evidence of my new system:  when I cycle in the cold, I can get everything comfortable except my face and eyes, so…I have been wearing ski goggles.  Laugh if you will, honk if you pass me, I don’t care – I’m warm, I can see, and I don’t lose my speed to keep from getting too cold!  To help you picture it:  bike helmet, scarf around my neck, ski goggles, and a smile that comes with a great training effort!

The new bike is fantastic; I put it in the shop yesterday to have the computer and aerobars installed.  It is such a race car and I couldn’t be happier with it.  Now I have new running shoes and I can’t wait til Monday’s brick to try them out. 

Just learned that the camera was a casualty in a fall Jesses took on the slopes, so it may be a while before I can post pictures again.  I head out to Colorado on Saturday to have Christmas with the kids at Ben’s house, but I’ll keep up the training and blogging…we’re down to about 80 days til race day.

Thanks for reading!

This is me staying in good spirits over running and biking in the cold and rain for the last month, and next 3 months to come.

from the farm - wanna speculate if it's mud or....not mud??

In spite of the slippin and slidin it was a good run – dogs were cavorting, iPod battery died so I just listened to Uga’s snorting and my sneaks squishsquashing. 

Had a great strength training session and 1000 yard swim on Monday.  My training schedule has suffered at the hand of my travel schedule, but it feels good to be back in the groove.  On the Ironman New Zealand website, there is a live-time countdown (to the second) that just won’t stop…helps the athletes plan the freakouts.

So no iPod, no favorite, but it was a great day to run in the cold mud!

Thanks for reading!

My new BaixBaix:

first trip out on the new bike

my new girl

Just a quick 20-miler on the Greenway to see how she feels…and the answer is:  delicious.  Even fresh out of the box, with no computer, no aerobars, no other toys, bells, or whistles, she just sang.  She’s so smooth and she shifts like a dream (of course, my last bike experience was 350 miles on a trail bike on gravel).  It’s a little bit like driving the Corvette – you know how a sportscar just wants to giddyup?  That’s what she feels like.

I haven’t yet spoken with my LeMond – we’ll have to re-negotiate the terms of our relationship, but, like all relationships, this one has evolved over time, and to stay viable must transition according to the needs of both parties.  It will involve compromises, patience, and understanding, but if we each stay focused on the goal of mutual satisfaction, with respect, admiration, and gratitude we can arrive at a new, successful definition of bike and rider.

I know, I need a red and black helmet!

Anyway, she is a fabulous new ride and I couldn’t be happier with her.  Lots of miles between now and March 6, and I’m looking forward to every one!

Now if only new running shoes would make the same difference in the run…

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What a delightful, girlie, French week we just had!!

Amy and I headed out on a Saturday morning, and had pretty good luck getting to Paris.  Glenda met us at baggage claim where we all had tears and endless smiles!

sisterlove

She’s been in the city since August, so she’s an expert in the Metro, and did a fabulous job with the language.  We did a lot of sightseeing the first day, even tho we were a bit jetlagged.  We went to Notre Dame, Champs Elysses, Arc du Triomphe, and the Eiffel Tower.

classic

see Quasimodo?

right in the middle of Champs Ellysses

at the bridge near the Eiffel

at the base of the Tower

We were so glad to go to bed that night, and started the next day by going to Glenda’s campus with her.  It is located near an interesting museum/shopping area that Amy and I cruised while she was in class.

Pompidou Museum of Modern Art

Street vendor selling crepes - Nutella is at EVERY stand

One of an huge volume of bakery pictures

We ate this same snack lunch every day – cheese, nuts, olives, fruit, bread.  Restaurants are so expensive and really we preferred to eat like this.

We eat this way at home too!

Then it was off to the Louvre – Glenda’s right about how to see it – you just have to do a section at a time.  She’s been about 8 times with her class, and has done a different section each time.  Amy and I did the typical tourist thing cuz our time was compressed, and Glenda had to go to class so we were on our own.

here she is

At the interior inverted glass pyramid

twinning it up

our hostel room with view of....the street

The next day was our trip to the Musee D’Orsay - Glenda’s favorite in Paris.  It was structurally beautiful; it’s a museum of impressionism, and included some pretty spectacular pieces.

Van Gogh's self-portrait

Glenda talked so much about this Van Gogh, and then when we saw it, we understood.  The color and pattern really are remarkable.  There were sculptures and some contemporary pieces we enjoyed seeing, as well as Gauguin and Monet.  The problem with a collection like that is that you become overstimulated/saturated so quickly, so after a couple of hours of following our resident docent, we stopped for a French lunch of quiche, sandwiches, and pastry.

lunch on the street

...with dessert

After that respite, we cruised an upscale section of Paris with shops and stores – then we went into a wine-tasting store Glenda has visited in her oenology class, and of course we had to have a tasting!  We bought a bottle of white, and a cheese tray for supper.  It was delicious, with one tiny exception.  These cheese samplers are assembled at the discretion of the cheese-sampler-assembler in the kitchen, I suppose, and our plate included a cheese the likes of which I have never experienced.

the offending selection is the baked triangle at the bottom of the plate

I love stinky cheese – the stinkier-feet-smelling, the better, as far as I’m concerned.  I love Roqufort, blue cheese, even limberger.  This cheese was not just aromatic.  It was not just pungent.  This cheese smelled like nothing other than…well, let’s just say that we now refer to it as Ass Cheese .  It’s called Reblochment Fermier; we googled it when we got back to the dorm and cracked up at the colorful descriptions of other consumers.

our wine and cheese experience

So we began the next day.  Glenda had class, so Amy and I headed out to Versailles, about a half-hour’s train ride from Paris.  The weather was awful – cold, wet, windy – but it was our one chance to go, and there’s that Jordan family motto thing, so off we went.  It was as dramatically spectacular as we knew it would be, but seeing it in person has a huge impact.

the Chapel at VersaillesThe Hall of Mirrorssome of the formal gardens

On our last full day, Glenda’s wine class went to a wine-tasting expo in Paris.  It was composed of independent wine producers, and many residents purchase their annual supply of wine here.  There were probably 300+ vendors, all offering tastings and sales.  Best 6 Euro we spent on the whole trip.  There were food vendors too, so you didn’t get too buzzed, and we spent the better part of the day here.

having a great time at the Expo!

That afternoon when we returned to the dorm, we created the French version of Thanksgiving, and we had a blast doing it (that may have had something to do with the fact that we were marinating in Expo-juice!)  A couple other American students joined us for our feast, and now Glenda is enjoying the leftovers.

Traditional feast for us: sweet potato casserole, green beans, dressing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, pecan and pumpkin pies

All in all, it was a phenomenal trip, and we hated to see it end.  Glenda put us on the train to the airport the following day, we had great seats on the plane, and about 13 hours later, via Atlanta, we were home!

Day 4 and trip back home…

Day 4 was even wetter than day 3, if that was possible.  I took pictures in spite of the moisture, because the landscape was so very beautiful.

typical trail section

Falls were even heavier because of the rain - breathtaking

another lovely suspension bridge

I built this little cairn on the side of the trail cuz the rocks were so pretty

The reason for the trip to New Zealand

The trail ended at a place called SandFly Point.  Google SandFly.  The little nasties were the Kiwi equivalent of mosquitoes; ultimately we all decided they weren’t quite as bad, but oh so close.  Boat ride, bus ride, van ride to a hostel in a little nearby ski town.

Our hostel room in Wanaka

That's a group of cyclists on the wrong side of the road

We had another half-day the next day while we waited for a flight; we had a little mini-cookout in Mr. Bongo atop a beautiful ridge in Christchurch.

sausages, wine, bread, cheese - mmmmmmm

Sunset group shot - great trip!

Our trip home was a round-about:  Christchurch to S ydney to Atlanta to Nashville.  We certainly enjoyed our terminal time, as always, and caught up on our reading.  We highly recommend this trip; we’ve tried to think what we would do different, and have been unable to come up with anything!

 One more big trip, then we will return this blog to its regularly scheduled training reports.  Oh, yeah, I’ve got an Ironman coming up in about 14 weeks!

Thanks for reading!

Mt. Cook

Okay, day 3 and McKinnon pass…

cold, wet, windy at the top

We tried to get up there before the rain began, but we didn’t quite get that done.  There was a hut at the top, a very welcome hut where we made coffee and ate a snack.

us (and 38 of our closest friends) at the warming hut atop the pass

When we took off after our break, we were at a run, backpacks and all, for about a half-mile to get out of the sideways rain, so we didn’t get our panorama shot, but it was beautiful in spite of it.

Jesse didn't want to get lost...

We were pretty saturated by the time we got off the hill, and had another 6 miles or so to go.  We took a little side trip of an hour or so to see the beautiful Sutherland Falls – Jesse, Sam and Laura crossed the river and stood behind the falls, but there’s no pictorial evidence, because my phone resides in a ziplock bag when it’s wet out – why does the lady who does every outdoor experience possible NOT have a waterproof digital camera????

soggy but happy

On the Milford Track, there are two types of tramping that you can register for:  the Independent Hikers option, which gave us a bunk in the huts each of three nights, and cost about $100, and includes the bus/ferry rides in and out, and the Guided Walkers option, which gives walkers a hotel-type room, hot showers, breakfast/lunch/dinner prepared daily for the economical fee of FIFTEEN HUNDRED DOLLARS!!  (That’s in NZ dollars, which is about the same as US $)!  So of course, we independent trampers used every opportunity to pat ourselves on the back for our wise financial decision while we pretended to enjoy our freeze-dried chicken teriyaki.

My Inglorious Basterds

These boys are Dore, Ben, and Dechell – our Israeli friends I mentioned earlier.  We fell in love with these boys; the morning we woke up after leaving the Track, Sam said “It’s just not the same without hearing bickering in Hebrew”.  We hiked with them on and off most of the trail, and we all hope to cross their paths at another time.

The evening of day three we stayed at the Dumpling Hut, with Blaine as our Ranger Host.  There was a wood-burning stove in the common room and there were clothes draped on every possible surface.

38 soggy hikers' clothes

Okay, that takes us to the final day, day 4 and the hike out.  Check back for the last installment of our Tramping experience.

Thanks for reading!