Triathlon Training Day 4: It is starting to get to me.

So I've been doing really good here guys. I've been eating well, I quit smoking, and I've been hitting the gym everyday that I say I am and completing my workouts. Well I haven't had chips in a long time and for those that know me, know that I LOVE CHIPS. So today we had a lunch meeting at work and this story is to hilarious not to share.

Me: (Staring at counter containing Cheetos and Doritos contemplating devouring both bags. Instead decide to go with pretzels instead.)

Co-Worker: (Enters kitchen to get soda.)

Me: I CAN EAT PRETZELS!

Co-Worker: Um, yes you can.

Me: (Runs out of kitchen with handful of pretzels.)

Everyone has been so curious about my training and what I have to eat that I feel like I'm under scrutiny now. I think I need to take a chill pill.

Pardon My Absence...

But I've been busy training for a TRIATHLON! Yeah thats right you heard me. So I apologize for my gap in postings but it's actually a lot of work. (I know I really shouldn't be surprised by this) I've got to start slow as I haven't run or done any sort of work out since October, and as it turns out I'm no biker. Can't wait till I start swimming, that should be a hoot! Dave and I joined the YMCA of greater Des Moines so now I've got everything I need to help me train, and this handy dandy book has become my bible.

(Image via google)

It helps me plan my workouts for the week, keep track of my diet and keep track of how I'm feeling fatigue, stress and soreness wise. This way I'll be sure to not over do it.Wish me luck, the next 8 months are going to be a challenge but I'm feeling pretty good about it. Except for right now. I feel about 90 years old. Hopefully I can still walk in the morning......

We're Midwesterners...

And we're tougher than you. Thats right. For all you Southerners and Calinfornias that think 50 degrees is cold, we say HA! Our "high" today was 5 and I must say it wasn't so bad. Nothing compared to the "high" for Friday.....-6. Yeah that is a NEGATIVE 6. Foot of snow on the ground and another 8 inches on the way? BRING IT ON! Because let's face it, when it comes to dealing with weather, the Midwest does it best....oh except for that 20 car pile up in Newton on I 80.....sometimes ice gets the better of us. I like to imagine it looked something like this:

(image via failblog.org)

Anyway, while 25 years of Midwest weather allows me to travel in the most dire of conditions I'm still really really really hoping for a snowday tomorrow. Because let's face it, who doesn't love a snowday? Plus I've been really lazy tonight so now I've got a lot of stuff to do.

When Shopping Online...EDIT

Caveat Emptor. I just learned this the hard way. I usually refrain from clothes shopping online as you can never be sure about fit, color, size you know things that really matter when purchasing clothes. Well mi madre gave me a gift card to JCPenney for my b-day and I did NOT want to venture out to the store to actually shop since it was Christmas time so I thought, why not try online shopping. Well I found a bunch of sweet deals, and one shirt that I took a chance on. I've become addicted to long tunics and leggings and my ankle boots. So I found this shirt for only 5 DOLLARS, so I thought what the hey, looks good on the model. So, I made the leap and bought it. Since it was only 5 bucks I thought why not be daring. It's not something I would normally pick out but time to try new things right?

WRONG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Because when you step out of your comfort zone this is what you get.

(Hi. Did someone call for a janitor?)

Yeah, D called it an "attempt at a classy janitor shirt." And with that it is going back and I will find something else for my 5 bucks. Seriously when they said "billowy shirt" they were not kidding. Check out the sleeves.

(come sail away with meeeeeeeee....)

Ugh so this just reaffirms my belief that buying online is for those who love to gamble, the risk takers of the world. It is not meant for people like me. Lesson learned.

Now wear is my mop?

EDIT: The bestie pointed out this fabulous comment on the website:

"This top looks even better on than you can see in the picture. I had so many compliments when I wore this top."

Written By: penshop

Location: Littleton, Colorado

Age: 50-60

I am banned from online shopping.

Feeling Nostalgic About the Homeland

While I love Des Moines and Iowa, as thats what this blog is about, I'm from Illinois and do still love my home state. So with that in mind I found this and it made me all sentimental and nostalgic.

YOU KNOW YOU'RE FROM CHICAGO IF..

• The "Living Room" is called the "front room" (pronounced fronchroom)
• You don't pronounce the "s" at the end of Illinois. You become irate at people who do
• You measure distance in minutes (especially "from the city"). And you swear everything is pretty much 15 minutes away
• You have no problem spelling or pronouncing "Des Plaines"
• Your school classes were canceled because of cold
• Your school classes were canceled because of heat
• You've ever had to switch from "heat" to "A/C" in the same day
• Stores don't have sacks, they have bags
• You end your sentences with an unnecessary preposition. Example:"Where's my coat at?" or "If you go to the mall I wanna go with."
• Your idea of a great tenderloin is when the meat is twice as big as the bun, "everything" is on it and a slice of dill pickle is on the side
• You carry jumper cables in your car
• You drink "pop."
• You understand that I-290, I-90, I-94, and I-294 are all different roads
• You know the names of the interstates: Stevenson, Kennedy, Eisenhower,Dan Ryan, and the Edens
• But you call the interstates "expressways"
• You refer to anything South of I-80 as "Southern Illinois"
• You refer to Lake Michigan as "The Lake"
• You refer to Chicago as "The City"
• "The Super Bowl" refers to one specific game in a series of 35 played in January of 1986
• No matter where you are, when you hear the term "Downtown" you immediately assume they're talking about Downtown Chicago
• You have two favorite football teams: The Bears, and anyone who beats the Packers!
• You buy "The Trib"
• You think 35 degrees is great weather to wash your car!
• You know what goes on a Chicago Style Hot Dog
• You know what Chicago Style Pizza REALLY is
• You know why they call Chicago "The Windy City"
• You understand what "lake-effect" means
• You know the difference between Amtrak and Metra, and know which station they end up at. You have ridden the "L"
• You can distinguish between the following area codes: 847,630,773,708, 312, & 815
• You have at some time in your life, used your furniture to guard your parking spot in winter. (CHICAGO CLASSIC!!)
• You respond to the question "Where are you from" with a side" example:"WEST SIDE", "SOUTH SIDE" or "NORTHSIDE."
• You know what the phone number is to Empire Carpet!

Oh and if you're curious, the number is 800-588-2300 EMPIRE!!!!!!! Also I can correctly pronounce both Des Moines and Des Plaines. D & I are off to Home Depot today to price out some basement things. Let me know if you'd like to go with. ;)

P.S. I drink soda, not pop. I'm the best of both worlds :)

(my other fair city)**

**image from google.

Happy New Years!

Partying like it's 2010.