Thursday Thirteen...

1. A.R.T. HURTS!! But in a good way. I love my ART guy who said today Running will not be bad for you. Just listen to your body.. Imagine that! I am still in pain when I run, maybe a little less..

2. I am enjoying watching Lance more this year than previously. I think because he is the "old guy" (37) and the underdog. Go Lance!

3. I went to the dermatologist, who "zapped" me with CO2 on about 12 places. Sun worshipping as a teenager may not have worked out so well for me in the long run. All the years I spent trying to keep a tan and now I send time and money to erase it..

4. I am getting the new GARMIN 310X in a few days. And a new Flow Plus saddle..I should be faster than ever, eh? I long for my mileage and MPH again!! H is getting me this for my "early birthday" gift..Awesome...

5. I can't believe I am training for another Ironman. It does not seem real to me...but I do it anyway..

6. Mocha turned a full somersault after tripping over the curb yesterday. She lived to tell about it. This dog is still alive. I think H wills her to live everyday. She still loves her walks..and cheap dog food we have switched her to. Who knew?

7. I think back and wonder how the heck we raised 4 teenagers? I must have been young and drank alot...oh yea..that is what I did..And spent alot of time in therapy. We also had fun and there was always excitement in our house!

8. I miss said children and grandchildren..The ones that live close I get to see more often..I like that they are all adults now..

9. Walgreens and CVS pharmacy are in an all out war for our business. We have gotten $75.00 in free gift cards just for switching prescriptions back and forth. I wonder how many times we can do this? H says it is like we have a part-time job and making money for nothing!

10. I cannot believe that in 2 months I will be 55 years old! That is OLD! Or I use to think so anyway...

11. Mother in law is getting better by the day. She will walk out of the extended care and back to her apartment soon...She is one of the strongest people I know..

12. I find TV very boring these days. I use to be such a TV fanatic and looked forward to my favorite shows..it all seems a bit bland for me now..

13. Looks like I will make it up to Denver to see my little Hadley (and Becca) next week. What can be better than a cute little 8 month old for entertainment?

Dreams, trips and more dreams...

I dreamed last night that I got to an Ironman Race and forgot my wetsuit, bike shoes and other important gear. They told me I could go home and get it and start the race whenever I wanted. So went home, could not find anything so decided to go and watch. Then wanted to swim anyway so went with a friend, who's wave went off at 10:30 AM and we missed it. I saw a bunch of people swimming in a river, some were walking. I was so bummed not to be able to race!

Meaning of the dream: Nothing except I am Ironman Western Australia dreamin'! Everyday H tells me some new part of the trip he has planned. Should we rent a car in Perth or take a shuttle? Tough questions I know..then I remembered the whole driving on the wrong side of the road deal and the 24 airplane trip and thought maybe the shuttle may be the way to go! H is in charge of all travel arrangements. It reminds me of the trip to Eastern Australia we took 19 years ago, where H planned that one too and we had a FABULOUS time diving the Great Barrier Reef. It was such a great trip..we had only been dating about a year so was like a honeymoon to us. I still remember my first dive (first open water dive in the ocean) in the GBR, where the little Australian guy took me down and at about 20 feet I wanted to go up. So we did..he was pissed at the Stupid Americans who come over here and think they can go diving and have no idea what they are doing! Yea-that would be me..not recommended for first diving experience. I did finally get over my fear, after about 50 dives..I managed to enjoy some of the diving there and LOVED the Aussies. We ate alot, drank alot (my drinking days back then) and stayed in some fabulous places on the East Coast. This trip we will see the Western part of Australia. The whole country is as big as the US. Here is a picture of Perth, where we will be landing:

Can't wait!

Weather report: Oh my gosh it is so hot here the past week. I had forgotten the hot summers of ABQ in the past. The last time I think it was this hot for so long, was 1994. The temp stayed over 100 for days and days..We finally got an air conditioner then.. I see clouds and start calling Come to Mama..please..just a little rain! We finally got some last night I think..

Mother in law still in Healthcare Facility, hoping to transition back to her apartment soon. Has been a very stressful 2 weeks here in H&D land...Aging parents is something I have never really dealt with. Both of mine died in their 60s so is all new territory for all of us..

We still manage to keep training..Official IM training started last week. I totalled 119 miles on the bike, 9000 yards in the pool and some walking. Say what? My leg is still bothering me although 2 ART treatments later, I have hope. Also trying a new bike saddle since my old one was bent-no wonder I had inner thigh pain! I have never been injured enough to be told No running so this is all new to me. Talked to Coach Eric last night and he seems to think Water running would be helpful although when I watch people in the pool doing this, it looks like torture. We shall see. I have been speed walking, well my own version of it and it is HARD! You use different muscles walking so I have some form of shin splints after doing this a couple of times..

Oh and I am lusting after this so bad:

My 305 is officially busted so I really NEED this. Feel nekid without a GPS!