The Periwinkle Plague

The sun has just broken through rain filled clouds.  We may yet get Elise walking around the campus at UTD.  We came up to Richardson to see Keith's Musical Theater class' performance of Red Hot & Cole based on the life of Cole Porter. Keith played Noel Coward, English soldier, George Kaufman, Doctor, drunk, Clifton Webb and Sam Katz. 

Here's Elise and Keith's post-show texting:

E: So we decided that you were a one man side show... To quote mom: "the face of many, the talent of few"

K: Heehee

E: But might I suggest something, add a different style of mustache for each character

K: Yessssssss... Also, erryone was totes jealous of our family.

E: I think you mean totes jelly

K: You is right. I did.

E: I think it's good they met us, now they'll understand you better

K: I don't know if thats a good thing, but its so true.... Though some people didn't meet you guis

E: That's okay I'm sure news of our weirdness will spread

K: Like a disease

E: The plague.

K: The black plague?

E: Nah one of the lesser plagues, we're not THAT weird

K: The brown plague... Lesser known, but much nastier.

E: Can we be the periwinkle plague instead?

K: Sounds good.

We are the Periwinkle Plaque. You have been warned.

If All Your Friends.....

I love encountering new ways of looking at the world.  Today I was looking through a bunch of xkcd posts, when one of them in particular piqued my interest.  We've all heard the question: "If all your friends jumped off a bridge, would you jump too?"  It's typically put forth as support for not doing something just because your friends are doing it.  The xkcd below made me rethink the normal interpretation:

I guess the quality of your friends really does make the difference. Thanks to all you levelheaded, fun loving, active and wonderful people out there jumping off the bridge with me and for including me when you jump.

"Break a Leg" to the McNeil Theater in the UIL One Act competition on Thursday with "A Flea in Her Ear."  The preview was really fun and fast paced.

I found my legs a bit heavy today during cycle class and the yoga afterward helped stretch tight muscles.  I'm blaming the 2:00 am winds and the 3:00 am hail storm for how sleepy I'm feeling this evening, but I have cycled for the past four days in a row so maybe that is having a bit of an impact too.  

“If all my friends jumped off a bridge, I wouldn't jump with them. I'd be at the bottom, hoping to catch them.” Steve Berry, The Paris Vendetta

Let the Bike Tan Commence

Spring arrives officially tomorrow.  Temperatures and sun intensity are on the rise.  So commences the time for bike tans...or in my case, skin redness with increased freckle-dom that will merge so as to appear tanned.  I wore my Austin Y-Tri jersey on yesterday's 23 mile bike ride with Nancy and now have new lines that out shadow the bike jersey lines from Sunday's ride.  The cooler weather recently had me wearing my bike pants, but I did get a few more freckles from Sunday's ride.  Today, it was back to cooler weather so the freckle fest did not grow on the legs, but my nose and arms were happy with the sunscreen I put on before the ride.  Time to invest in a gallon or two of sunscreen.

Thanks to Nancy for letting me drag you out to the countryside for our bike ride and gabfest. Thanks to Bonnie for the run/sweat session yesterday afternoon....it was 86 degrees so while the dogs had big tongues and played in the Rattan Creek we just dripped and envied their waterhole play.  Thanks to Vicki for the ride this morning and to Jaime for kindly asking me to join in the Suicide Circuit I set up for my Sports Conditioning class even earlier this morning.  Core exercise, then run suicide/lines on the basketball court, core exercise .... repeat until 10 station circuit completed.  Sound fun?  Amazing how long a minute seems to last!  Coaching and commenting on form is way easier than actually doing the workout.  Hoisted on one's own petard, eh?

We sure have had some pretty biking weather and I've really enjoyed exploring out past FM 2338.  If you haven't been out there to enjoy this stretch of country road not yet open to cars, I highly recommend it.  Or better yet, give me a call and I'll ride with you.  :)
 
"It is by riding a bicycle that you learn the contours of a country best, since you have to sweat up the hills and coast down them. Thus you remember them as they actually are, while in a motor car only a high hill impresses you, and you have no such accurate remembrance of country you have driven through as you gain by riding a bicycle." Ernest Hemingway

Wheels on the Bike

The wheels on the bike go round and round...round and round....round and round.  As I was driving out to meet Geni for our long ride, I found Heidi biking alone so I stopped and picked her up so she could ride with us.  We rode out Parmer today from 1431 and went out past 2338 where the new road construction has no car traffic.  10 miles (five each direction) of road with no traffic and beautiful texas countryside.  We saw a road runner, cows with calves, blue bonnets, a number of really cool shaped trees and beautiful ride conditions.  We had a little more breeze on the return trip, but nothing like the 17-19 mph winds of recent rides.

The wheels on the bike go round and round....round and round....until you get a flat....while you're ride partners disappear up and over a hill.  Remember when I said texting is a good thing.  Well, after waiting at the top of the hill for too long, I finally checked my phone.  Geni's text: FLAT TIRE.  Feeling like a bad ride partner, I turned around to find Geni installing tube number 2 that a couple of nice cyclists donated to the cause.  Heidi helped out with another cartridge and we were back in action in no time.  The price Heidi and I had to pay for not being with Geni when she flatted was we had to ride that hill twice today.  

I forgot to restart my bike computer for a while after the flat stop, but I'm thinking total ride distance was around 45 miles.  Officially the longest ride for me for a while.
 
The wheels on the bus go round and round...round and round.  Keith took Greyhound to UT Dallas on Friday so he could be back for rehearsals for his musical theater class's upcoming production "Red Hot and Cole."  Elise, Ben and I are heading up to Dallas on Friday to catch the show plus let Elise visit the campus.

I'm still waiting to hear details, but a very excited Elise got to work the Perez Hilton SXSW event yesterday.  She got in really late and was still asleep when I left for my bike ride.  She's off working now so I guess I'll have to wait to hear her stories. 
 
We even managed to get to a SXSW event ourselves the other night.  Ben and I joined Paul and Ruthellen at the Saxon Pub to enjoy some live music.  We primarily went there to support Keith's former Musicale partner - Rachel Thompson- as she was performing with Edison Chair.  Rachel is so talented!  It was a fun night. 

Sometimes You Just Have to Put Yourself Out There

I fully believe that sometimes you just have to put yourself out there to get the most out of life.  So I've put myself out there in two ways recently.  First, I invited a friend to go on an adventure and, second, I applied to be a Specialized Women's Ambassador.

We've been having such beautiful weather and a friend of mine has been pretty stressed at work.  I knew she was taking the week off to play with her kids during Spring Break and that these kids would be otherwise occupied once the music portion of SXSW started.  I took a chance in texting her an invite.  Boy did it pay off...what a glorious day.  We loaded Roxie with a picnic then hit the road. For those that don't know, Roxie is a little maroon Miata that my husband, Ben, insisted we get so we could have fun once I got cancer - even if only by having fun driving to/from doctors and treatment appointments.  With treatments behind me it's nice to use the car for much more fun adventures.

Covered in sunscreen, we drove down to Driftwood Vineyards using back roads as much as possible.  We arrived, enjoyed a wine tasting then spent the afternoon eating our picnic, talking and enjoying a nice syrah while overlooking pastures and the vineyard.  Pleasant breezes, sunny conditions, bees enthralled with a flowering tree, a single squirrel sunbathing on a rock wall and time to talk.   Wonderful.  Let me know if any of you need a get away adventure, I can always be bribed with a bottle of wine...or even just an invitation. 

We got home just in time for me to connect up with Ben, Keith and a gang hanging out at Waterloo Ice House on Parmer for the evening.  Did I mention it was a great day?

So, now about my Specialized venture: Specialized is searching for 5 women to be Specialized Women's Ambassadors for the next year.  I submitted my application this morning.  Here is their description of the program: 

In 2013 Specialized Women is premiering an all new women’s ambassador program. We are extending an invitation to women who feel that they are Specialized, they embody the lifestyle and live our culture. We are looking to support like minded women who believe in the value that cycling brings to people’s lives and want to share that experience with not just the women of their communities but everyone that is a part of Specialized Women. We know that each individual rider strengthens the whole and we want you to share your experiences and love of cycling. Think you are a good fit for the program? Do you love all things two wheeled but also have a passion for hiking, running, blogging, photography, snowboarding, cooking or anything else? We want you to be a part of our community and we want to hear your story.  

Specialized will be making a decision by March 22, 2013.  We shall see.  Special thanks to Bonnie Berry who took the pictures I needed for the application. 

So, what do you think? Do I embody the lifestyle? I love sharing my enthusiasm for cycling, fitness and life. Everybody send positive thoughts.  :)

Ride Through Dreamland and Plateaus

I'm sitting on the foredeck, basking in the wonderful warm, sunny weather reliving the nice morning I had today.  

Legs moving ...step by step then round and around...running and cycling.  A rhythm and pattern once so burned in now renewing.  
 
"After your first day of cycling, one dream is inevitable. A memory of motion lingers in the muscles of your legs, and round and round they seem to go. You ride through Dreamland on wonderful dream bicycles that change and grow." H.G. Wells, The Wheels of Chance.

I ran across this quote and it seemed particularly appropriate these days.  Thanks to Vicki for the bike ride and Bonnie for the run today.

My topic for today's H.E.B. Lunch n Learn was plateaus and how we all must overcome those moments in time where we feel we aren't moving foward as fast as we'd like.  Remembering to not just use numbers, but assess how we feel, what we're able to do, what we can fit into and how we build our community along the way will help us overcome plateaus.   Last time, I had them do a tabata workout (20 seconds work, 10 seconds rest X 8) of their favorite exercises like squats, lunges, jumping jacks, burpees, running in place.  Today, it was about slow controlled movement so I channeled my mother-in-law, Mary Jo Hodges, and showed them some basic Tai Chi moves then had them do Y-T-W- L's along with some side laying leg lifts and clamshells.  

My early morning conditioning class focused on a core & strength workout using TRX. I'm finding that I really like the training options it provides.  Here's hoping those in my class like it now too!  

I've just finished my chocolate milk and am now enjoying a nice cup of tea.  
The memory of motion lingers on and the sun is soothing....I'm basking  :)  

 

 

An Aspirin A Day?

Thanks to all that came out for our impromptu foredeck gathering.  It was fun catching back up with you all.  What a great way to enjoy our pretty weather. 

Elise and Keith are taking advantage of Spring Break to sleep in this morning.  While the kid sleep on, I've been catching up on some online reading. Now, I have yet another health question for Dr. G (my oncologist):  Will an aspirin a day keep cancer at bay?  A recent observational study raises the question of whether regularly taking aspirin will help reduce women's risk of cancer...melenoma, breast or other types of cancer.   Results are mixed which means more research is needed.  http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2013/03/11/173838757/aspirin-vs-melanoma-study-suggests-headache-pill-prevents-deadly-skin-cancer

Here's a portion of the article: 

Dr. Randall Harris of Ohio State University thinks it's reasonable for people to take some aspirin for its anti-cancer effects. He's used Women's Health Initiative data to show that aspirin may reduce the risk of breast cancer.

"You don't need to take too much," Harris tells Shots. "You just need to reset the inflammatory mechanism, in my opinion. And so you can get by with just a couple of tablets a week. That's what I do — been doing it for a long time."

Harris is pretty convinced that aspirin prevents cancer by damping down a master gene called Cox-2 that controls inflammation.

But Jacobs thinks something else is going on. He thinks aspirin may reduce cancer by inhibiting platelets, blood components that promote clotting.

"We know that activated platelets release substances that can encourage cancer growth and development," Jacobs says.

The anti-platelet effect could explain why the new study did not find a reduced risk of melanoma from anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen. These NSAIDs don't inhibit platelets the way aspirin does.

Scientists' lack of understanding about how aspirin may exert an anti-tumor effect is a caution against its widespread use as a cancer preventive agent.

Basically, scientists haven't done enough studies to really give an answer, but it is an interesting question.  Anyone have any additional insight or information?


"Life is an unanswered question, but let's still believe in the dignity and importance of the question." Tennessee Williams  
 
"A wise man can learn more from a foolish question than a fool can learn from a wise answer." Bruce Lee 
 

A Good Day

As Geni and I rode this morning, I was reminded of the following quote:

"You never have the wind with you -- either it is against you or you're having a good day." Daniel Behrman, The Man Who Loved Bicycles

We were flying on our bikes this morning having a great day until we turned to find the wind against us at about 17 mph.  We decided that to keep it a good day, we better do loops.  This meant we had to do the Hwy 29 hill climb twice against the wind, but enjoyed the 30+ mph descents. The hills are starting to feel a little more manageable. Thanks, Geni. 

After a quick post-ride shower, Elise and I went to the Farmer's Market at Lakeline Mall to stock up on some tasty greens.  We didn't linger very long as the light rains started to return.  The forecast is for thunderstorms and heavier rain later today. I'm hoping the heavy rains stay away until after Keith arrives back in Austin via Greyhound today at 4pm. It will be nice to have everyone home even if it is only for a week.  

Thanks to Vicki for inviting me to the Westwood Choir Cabaret last night.  Anna did a great job and I enjoyed the show.   

Context is Everything

I have to say I'm a big fan of texting as means of staying connected with your friends and family.  Quick little insights into what's going on in another's life.  Fast, efficient and often helpful.  Questions asked and answered, timing coordination, parental notice of kids's movement/activity and generally an invisible tether connecting each of us to another.

Occasionally, I get a text that causes me to pause.  So it was today when I received a text from my son who will be soon coming home from UT Dallas for Spring Break.  Keith texted: "Guess who's got two thumbs, a ticket home and a 101 on his physics test?"  While I'm obviously thrilled with the latter two pronouncements, I'm in a quandry over the two thumbs reference.  Is it better to know or not know?  Ahhhh ...the beauty of enticing quips via texting.  Now, if I only had some context for his text.

We have rain today which is wonderful in our drought-ridden area especially since I got an outside ride in yesterday.  During my indoor cycle class today amidst endless intervals and slow-count jumps, I finally realized that, while I as sweating buckets, my legs and lungs felt okay.  'Okay' in the "I can keep doing this" and "I'm feeling stronger" kind of ways.  I couldn't stop myself from an exhilarated announcement to my fellow cyclists.  "Oh Yeah! Form is returning."  Two-years of cancer treatment, neck fusion surgery, and a frozen shoulder injury.  Now, I have a glimmer of strength.  So excellent.

I've had a couple questions about women's bike saddles because a) the indoor cycle saddles we have at the YMCA are so uncomfortable and b) some women are having issues with their own road bike seats. Having proper support through our sitz bones rather than mere padding is key to a good saddle.  I really love my Ruby saddle because it is a women's-specific design that gives you all the support you need while still being comfortable during those short and long rides. (http://www.specialized.com/us/en/ftb/saddles/womens-roadmultisport-saddles/womens-ruby-expert)  Hope this helps.
  
Got two thumbs - Were Keith's thumbs in jeopardy? Did he do something silly but manage to eke out of it by the skin of his thumbs? No, a picture text later clarified the matter.

           Context:  He meant two thumbs up for things going well and it being Spring Break. 
  

Another Rite of Passage

Another Rite of Passage:  I survived 3 hours of prom dress shopping with Elise.  Fortunately, I had fortified for this excursion earlier in the day with an hour of cycle, an hour of yoga and a great Indian lunch with Vicki and Betsy.  After going through rows and rows of dresses at David's Bridal Shop, Elise narrowed her choices down to 10 dresses to bring to the dressing room that ranged from short to long in bright blue, navy blue, black, bright pink, purple and white.  The dress we initially went to see was royal blue, high to low style with sparkly bodice elements.  While Elise really loved the upper part of the dress, it was soon dismissed when Elise dubbed the high to low style as a mullet dress.  No dress can survive that kind of label.    

Ultimately, Elise went with a classic yet slinky long black dress with a slit made of jersey material that hugged her in all the right places.  She looks really terrific in the dress and will have fun accessorizing to add some color. Thanks to Ruthellen and Keith Gruber who acted as remote style consultants helping us to come to a decision.   Phew, I survived.  Elise is happy.  Big Exhale.

This morning was a lovely bike ride which felt a bit easier after the hills the other day despite the wind starting to pick up.  Speaking of bike riding, for those interested in a nice bike ride in Georgetown, Texas, check out the Red Poppy Ride on April 27th.  Use discount code "REDPOPPY30" for 30% off registration until March 15.  I'm registered for 50 miles.  Anyone going to join me? 

2013 Red Poppy Ride

Georgetown High School Annex

Saturday, April 27, 2013 @ 8:00 AM

http://www.redpoppyride.org

 

Huffing & Puffing Hill Climbing

As I sit here sipping my strawberry, blue berry and mango smoothie, I'm feeling pretty good.  This morning, I was huffing & puffing trying to make headway through 25 mph winds and up hills that used to be so easy.  Not so anymore.  After a 1 1/2 year hiatus, I finally tried riding up Yaupon today.  Yaupon is a three-tiered climb generally requiring use of the small chain ring.  Today, Vicki and I rode our usual Great Hills route which finishes by going down and back up Yaupon.   I did fine throughout the early part of the ride: Raincreek spiked my heart rate, but I made it up.  When my heart rate hit 185 on Yaupon, I had to divert over to a side road to let my heart rate drop before finishing the rest of the climb.  We ran about a mile after our ride.   As Vicki wisely reminded me: This is the worse it will feel this year.  I'm happy about that fact.  Thanks Vicki.

I work really hard to not compare my current fitness level or ability to what it was before cancer, but some days it is hard.  Today was one of those days.  Now. Here. This.  I'm thrilled to be out on my bike and getting stronger.  The mountain won't win for much longer.  

I'm off in a few minutes to start the process of getting custom silicone breast prosthetics which will replace the bean-bag, generic ones I have now.  I can't quite commit myself to reconstruction surgery at this point so this is great option.  Today's focus is matching skin tone color, figuring out how many freckles and picking the appropriate size.  Later this month, I'll have a chest scan done so they can contour the prosthetics to fit on my chest.  Pretty cool process.  See all the fun stuff you get to do once you've had breast cancer?

Time to brag about Elise for a moment.  Elise started working at HEB as a bagger about 5 months ago.  She was recently nominated by her peers and selected by management to be her store's recipient of an HEB Women of Distinction Award.  It's a big deal not only because she got an award but also since she's only worked there for a short time on a part-time basis.  We are very proud of her.  She will receive her award at a luncheon at Cool River on March 27th.  Yeah, Elise!

Training Opportunities

Upcoming Training Opportunities for my programs - NW YMCA of Austin

Sports Conditioning. The last month of the Sports Conditioning/Off Season Conditioning class begins Tuesday at the NW YMCA. This class emphasizes core, strength and triathlon sport specific training. Classes are Tuesdays and Thursdays at 5:45-6:45 am. The class costs $40 for members and $60 for nonmembers.

Austin Y-Tri Spring Triathlon Training. NW YMCA 8 week training program coached by me to prepare for Spring triathlons including Danskin/Iron Girl Tri.  This is our 10 year anniversary of the Y-Tri program.  Come help us celebrate.  This is co-ed program intended to help beginner - intermediate participants get ready for their Spring Triathlons.  There will be an 11:45 am session and a 6 pm session meeting on Tuesday & Thursdays.  Some weekday swim session are from 7:45-8:45 pm.  All sessions train together on Saturday 7:00-9:00 am.  Cost: $175 members  $230 nonmembers

Mark your calendars and register!
April 7th Information Meeting 5pm at the NW YMCA 
April 9th Training Begins

Austin Y-Tri Club - We are a USA Triathlon sanctioned club operating through the NW YMCA dedicated to the educational pursuit of triathlon, general physical fitness, social interaction and the representation of the sport of triathlon within the community.  This is our second year and we're hoping to continue to grow.  We have monthly meetings with speakers, interactive presentations, movies or clinics.  We provide member networking via Rallyhood which hosts our club calendar, documents and communication platform. We have two coached training events per month.  We have club triathlon and bike jerseys.  We have fun people!  Come join us.  Annual Cost is $25 for individuals and $40 per family.


Register by calling the NW YMCA front desk 335-9622 or online by selecting adult programs, triathlon at http://www.austinymca.org/branches/northwest-family-branch

Please help spread the word.  I'm feeling great and am ready to help you be Triumphant!