Several weeks ago, my doctor recommended a book to me. I was told I had to read it (kindly) because it would really make sense to me and was well-researched, well-written, and laid out in a manner that was understandable.
i finally ordered the book a couple of weeks back, but set it aside until last night, when once I started reading, I got through half of it before I turned off the light and went to sleep (well past 1:00am). I finished it today.
My doctor was right, but possibly more than she even knew (or maybe she recommended it specifically because she knew how much it would affect me). I hadn't ordered it right away for two reasons: 1) my still-present "denial" behaviors around my weight mean that if I order a "diet book" (which I wouldn't categorize this as, but it does kind of fall into that category), then I'm admitting that I need a diet and run the possible risk of (gasp!) someone seeing the book, which for me is more embarrassing than just someone seeing me at my current (lack of) fitness level. Also I didn't order it right away because 2) I forgot.
Hmm. I could go into a whole different digression on the term "fitness level" now after reading the book. Another day, perhaps.
Interestingly, this book promotes a dietary lifestyle that is recommended for diabetics by nutritionists and doctors. Many of the choices and needs that help diabetics also help the diabetics lose weight--often significantly so. Yet these dietary instructions go strongly against all other medical accepted practices for weight loss.
What struck me the most, when I was done reading, aside that I could stop trying to starve myself or try to do things in "moderation" (we all know how well I do with moderation anyway), and NOT feel hungry AND eat foods I enjoy, was relief. Relief from the self-inflicted guilt and shame about being overweight. Relief from the magnification and internalization of remarks made to me (whether kind or unkind, well-intentioned or just plain rude). Relief that, if this holds up and I can implement it, I'm not a failure, which is what has been reinforced every time I've tried to do anything about my weight.
The challenge is that, like I said, much of the information presented in the book goes against all medical advice regarding weight loss. Yet curiously, it is nearly exactly what is recommended for diabetics (in particular, Type II) to "treat" the disease and its corresponding symptoms. Essentially, it is low-carbohydrate.
For me, the irony is that while the guidelines described are used to treat diabetes (and, when used successfully and maintained, help the individual lose weight), the same advice is not recommended to prevent diabetes--only the losing weight part, which a different diet is advised. Only those individuals with high blood sugar over extended periods of time are recommended to follow this advice--and honestly, only part of it.
We'll have to see how it goes.
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Trying to Break the Lethargy Trap
I can't believe how much I slept yesterday.
I'm not going to count the hours because I'm a little bit afraid that the "awake" hours would end up in the single digits--and I'm not kidding.
On the other hand, my daughter is coming down with a cold. Perhaps my body was both fighting off what she has (because I feel fine) and dealing with the muscle relaxer I took? I don't know, but today I woke up with my back feeling so much better and with at least a little energy, if not actual motivation.
I kept my daughter home from preschool so she wouldn't get the other kids sick. When she found out, this was her response:
*cough*
"I'b dot sick adybore, Mobby." Translation: I'm not sick anymore, Mommy.
*sneeze*sneeze*
She certainly had enough energy for the both of us anyway, and keeping her home meant I wouldn't get to any of the tasks I was hoping to achieve. Which I didn't.
I'm not going to count the hours because I'm a little bit afraid that the "awake" hours would end up in the single digits--and I'm not kidding.
On the other hand, my daughter is coming down with a cold. Perhaps my body was both fighting off what she has (because I feel fine) and dealing with the muscle relaxer I took? I don't know, but today I woke up with my back feeling so much better and with at least a little energy, if not actual motivation.
I kept my daughter home from preschool so she wouldn't get the other kids sick. When she found out, this was her response:
*cough*
"I'b dot sick adybore, Mobby." Translation: I'm not sick anymore, Mommy.
*sneeze*sneeze*
She certainly had enough energy for the both of us anyway, and keeping her home meant I wouldn't get to any of the tasks I was hoping to achieve. Which I didn't.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Hit by a Lethargy Wave
I've had some motivational challenges for awhile now. No, I'm not seeking support as well-intentioned "you can do it, hang in there!" speeches tend to annoy me and be more counter-productive. Yes, it is stupid that I react this way, and I am trying to figure out how not to, but at this point, the only thing good about it is that I recognize I react this way, even if I can't change it yet.
Anyway, today was almost the ultimate achievement in lack of motivation. I managed to get my daughter to swimming lessons, but got NOTHING else done. In fact, when we got home, I took a nap. After being up for a little while, I took another nap.
Since the lethargy wave was so overpowering, I went to bed early and went right to sleep.
What's worse is today my back hurt badly enough for the first time in ages that I took a muscle relaxer (leftover from my New Year's Eve flare-up).
In my defense, the lethargy wave may possibly have been partly induced by the effects of the muscle relaxer, but really, I did so little I almost might not have bothered getting out of bed today.
Anyway, today was almost the ultimate achievement in lack of motivation. I managed to get my daughter to swimming lessons, but got NOTHING else done. In fact, when we got home, I took a nap. After being up for a little while, I took another nap.
Since the lethargy wave was so overpowering, I went to bed early and went right to sleep.
What's worse is today my back hurt badly enough for the first time in ages that I took a muscle relaxer (leftover from my New Year's Eve flare-up).
In my defense, the lethargy wave may possibly have been partly induced by the effects of the muscle relaxer, but really, I did so little I almost might not have bothered getting out of bed today.
Saturday, April 9, 2011
I'm in Stealth Mode
Today I was assigned to judge a gymnastics meet out of town. I was also assigned to a carpool, so I left my car at the grocery store where I met the carpool and went on my merry way.
Shortly after arriving at the meet, my phone rang--it was one of the moms from my daughter's preschool, who announced that she KNEW I was at the grocery store and where was I hiding because she saw my car in the parking lot.
Amused, I explained that my car was there, but I was not. I was operating in stealth mode.
Because my life is not excited enough unless I can make up dumb jokes about it.
ANYWAY.
Today's meet was...different than many that I have judged. Usually I post on Facebook some of my favorite judging moments from meets. Silly things, like the kid who rocks her beam routine with a 9.7 and then faceplants while walking to her next event. Or the little teeny kids, who are more focused on playing connect-the-dots with chalk on their sparkly leotards than warming up for bars. That kind of thing.
I usually don't feel badly about posting because I keep it anonymous (not even listing which meet I was at as well as any names), but today I just couldn't. Many of the kids I judged really struggled today and I felt so badly for some of them that I didn't really get a "funny" moment. I couldn't even think of a constructive way to twist any of the stories to make them funny...they would just be made fun of. And that's just mean. So no stories.
Shortly after arriving at the meet, my phone rang--it was one of the moms from my daughter's preschool, who announced that she KNEW I was at the grocery store and where was I hiding because she saw my car in the parking lot.
Amused, I explained that my car was there, but I was not. I was operating in stealth mode.
Because my life is not excited enough unless I can make up dumb jokes about it.
ANYWAY.
Today's meet was...different than many that I have judged. Usually I post on Facebook some of my favorite judging moments from meets. Silly things, like the kid who rocks her beam routine with a 9.7 and then faceplants while walking to her next event. Or the little teeny kids, who are more focused on playing connect-the-dots with chalk on their sparkly leotards than warming up for bars. That kind of thing.
I usually don't feel badly about posting because I keep it anonymous (not even listing which meet I was at as well as any names), but today I just couldn't. Many of the kids I judged really struggled today and I felt so badly for some of them that I didn't really get a "funny" moment. I couldn't even think of a constructive way to twist any of the stories to make them funny...they would just be made fun of. And that's just mean. So no stories.
Friday, April 8, 2011
I Had Forgotten
...what it was like to be home alone without a child. This is such a rare occurrence for me.
Monday was my daughter's first day at an all-day school/daycare. She goes two days a week (Monday and Friday) to this new school, in addition to her regular preschool.
So today, I managed to get the following things done:
1) drop off used printer cartridges for recycling
2) purchase office supplies
3) clean items to donate to the Salvation Army
4) drop off said items
5) make a deposit at the bank
6) have lunch on my own terms, without having to worry about anyone else
7) BUY MY NEW BIKE!! (more on this later)
8) spend 2.5 hours thoroughly cleaning the inside of my car (more on this later too)
9) revise a massage policy for the state of Oregon
10) four loads of laundry
11) walk the dog
12) make a (small) dent in cleaning the garage
13) give used toys to the neighbor girl
14) return a storage bin to friends
15) buy petfood (and a replacement toy for my dog)
16) have the first "date night" with my husband since August 2009
And all this was after sleeping in until 9:30.
Now, about the bike.
I'd put the bike on layaway last Sunday. I had to make a 25% down payment to reserve the 10% off pricing. It was a 2010 bike, on clearance, so it was a good deal anyway. The 10% was even better, especially considering the store I went to has a "points" system for everything I buy that equals 10% back I can use on anything in the store.
I got an email earlier this week that indicated they were having a "double points weekend." In other words, I'd get 20% back on any purchase. A good time to make the payoff on the bike, so I did.
I totally worked the system.
Of course, since it is designed for racing events, it doesn't come with pedals, so I had to get a pedal set, and I'd returned the shoes I bought to race in, so I needed new shoes. And I wanted a computer for it. I walked away with all my new bike stuff and what will be close to $200 in store credit.
It actually took me about 90 minutes in the store, during which time my car was parked in the sun. Did I mention that today was the first beautiful sunny day since February? We loaded the bike in the car, I happily hopped in to drive home and...nearly hurled.
WHAT was that stench and where was it coming from?
I rolled down all four windows, and if I had an extendable neck, I totally would have hung my head out the window, dog-like, on my way home.
It smelled THAT badly.
Once home, I unloaded my bike into the house and decided it was time for a thorough cleaning of my car.
I go through phases with my car (much like everything else in my life), where I will be so meticulously neat that NO ONE MAY EAT IN THE CAR. Then gradually things pile up, I'm in a hurry and visit a drive-through, I'm too tired to empty the whole car, and eventually I have to drive someone somewhere and realize that I have no place for them to sit.
I was at the no place to sit point, so it was possible that the odorous fumes were coming from something that my daughter had tossed into the back seat somewhere.
I began by simply emptying everything into the driveway in piles. I had a laundry pile, a sort it out in the house pile, a recycle pile, a garbage pile, a put it back in the car when I'm done pile, a donate pile, and a deliver to somewhere else pile. None of these were particularly small piles.
I pulled out the car seat, the floor mats, the spare tire cover, and anything else I could detach from inside the car. Then I thoroughly vacuumed all the carpet and upholstery and lysoled (new verb) everything else.
Despite having sniff-tested everything I pulled out of the car to see if it was the offending item, I didn't find anything that could be a possible source. I didn't even find any food garbage-gone-science-experiment that I could blame it on. While I was relieved I didn't find anything like that, I was also confused. I'd SCOURED the car and it was still potent. Not AS potent, but I couldn't tell if that was just because I had all four doors, the hatchback, and the sunroof open.
I'm sure the neighbors (once again) thought I was nuts because I kept moving around, sniffing different spots in my car trying to locate the source of the stink.
I got through all the laundry, thoroughly cleaned the car seat, and closed the car back up. After all, it's been two months since we saw sun, so leaving the sunroof open would not be the wisest move on my part.
When my husband got home, our daughter was asleep, so we got the neighbor girl to come over and babysit so we could go on a "date."
Here's how unused to having time to ourselves we are: our "date" consisted of going out to frozen yogurt, eating it there, and then walking to Target (I wanted Febreeze for my car). Once in Target, he tells me, "I'm going to the men's section," and takes off. It wasn't until I was wandering around household goods looking for the Febreeze that I realized we were paying a babysitter for a date night during which we were walking around Target, separately.
At least we had yogurt together. And I have my Febreeze.
Monday was my daughter's first day at an all-day school/daycare. She goes two days a week (Monday and Friday) to this new school, in addition to her regular preschool.
So today, I managed to get the following things done:
1) drop off used printer cartridges for recycling
2) purchase office supplies
3) clean items to donate to the Salvation Army
4) drop off said items
5) make a deposit at the bank
6) have lunch on my own terms, without having to worry about anyone else
7) BUY MY NEW BIKE!! (more on this later)
8) spend 2.5 hours thoroughly cleaning the inside of my car (more on this later too)
9) revise a massage policy for the state of Oregon
10) four loads of laundry
11) walk the dog
12) make a (small) dent in cleaning the garage
13) give used toys to the neighbor girl
14) return a storage bin to friends
15) buy petfood (and a replacement toy for my dog)
16) have the first "date night" with my husband since August 2009
And all this was after sleeping in until 9:30.
Now, about the bike.
I'd put the bike on layaway last Sunday. I had to make a 25% down payment to reserve the 10% off pricing. It was a 2010 bike, on clearance, so it was a good deal anyway. The 10% was even better, especially considering the store I went to has a "points" system for everything I buy that equals 10% back I can use on anything in the store.
I got an email earlier this week that indicated they were having a "double points weekend." In other words, I'd get 20% back on any purchase. A good time to make the payoff on the bike, so I did.
I totally worked the system.
Of course, since it is designed for racing events, it doesn't come with pedals, so I had to get a pedal set, and I'd returned the shoes I bought to race in, so I needed new shoes. And I wanted a computer for it. I walked away with all my new bike stuff and what will be close to $200 in store credit.
It actually took me about 90 minutes in the store, during which time my car was parked in the sun. Did I mention that today was the first beautiful sunny day since February? We loaded the bike in the car, I happily hopped in to drive home and...nearly hurled.
WHAT was that stench and where was it coming from?
I rolled down all four windows, and if I had an extendable neck, I totally would have hung my head out the window, dog-like, on my way home.
It smelled THAT badly.
Once home, I unloaded my bike into the house and decided it was time for a thorough cleaning of my car.
I go through phases with my car (much like everything else in my life), where I will be so meticulously neat that NO ONE MAY EAT IN THE CAR. Then gradually things pile up, I'm in a hurry and visit a drive-through, I'm too tired to empty the whole car, and eventually I have to drive someone somewhere and realize that I have no place for them to sit.
I was at the no place to sit point, so it was possible that the odorous fumes were coming from something that my daughter had tossed into the back seat somewhere.
I began by simply emptying everything into the driveway in piles. I had a laundry pile, a sort it out in the house pile, a recycle pile, a garbage pile, a put it back in the car when I'm done pile, a donate pile, and a deliver to somewhere else pile. None of these were particularly small piles.
I pulled out the car seat, the floor mats, the spare tire cover, and anything else I could detach from inside the car. Then I thoroughly vacuumed all the carpet and upholstery and lysoled (new verb) everything else.
Despite having sniff-tested everything I pulled out of the car to see if it was the offending item, I didn't find anything that could be a possible source. I didn't even find any food garbage-gone-science-experiment that I could blame it on. While I was relieved I didn't find anything like that, I was also confused. I'd SCOURED the car and it was still potent. Not AS potent, but I couldn't tell if that was just because I had all four doors, the hatchback, and the sunroof open.
I'm sure the neighbors (once again) thought I was nuts because I kept moving around, sniffing different spots in my car trying to locate the source of the stink.
I got through all the laundry, thoroughly cleaned the car seat, and closed the car back up. After all, it's been two months since we saw sun, so leaving the sunroof open would not be the wisest move on my part.
When my husband got home, our daughter was asleep, so we got the neighbor girl to come over and babysit so we could go on a "date."
Here's how unused to having time to ourselves we are: our "date" consisted of going out to frozen yogurt, eating it there, and then walking to Target (I wanted Febreeze for my car). Once in Target, he tells me, "I'm going to the men's section," and takes off. It wasn't until I was wandering around household goods looking for the Febreeze that I realized we were paying a babysitter for a date night during which we were walking around Target, separately.
At least we had yogurt together. And I have my Febreeze.
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Recovery and Accidental Manipulation
One of the things I did yesterday was BEG a fellow massage therapist friend to come give me a treatment today. Not only was she available, but she came to my house, which meant I was able to roll out of bed, get into my robe, answer the door, and get on the table.
When I'm rich, that is how I will start every day.
By time the massage was done, my husband and daughter had taken off to his soccer game. I decided I would go and look at bikes.
Because yesterday's bike fiasco was not fun, and if I'm going to keep doing this, I need equipment that works.
Okay, yes, yes, I need to keep any bike checked and working before starting on a course and even a new bike I could have similar issues with if I don't keep it maintained. However, the bike that I used (which I BEGGED my dad to let me use, and then let me keep using) was my mom's bike. They actually had it custom-built for her. It's a great bike, but it was designed for road touring (ie, carrying gear), and for someone 2 inches taller than me who also had longer limbs.
In other words, another example of good equipment, but not the right equipment for what I am doing. If you check out the post from my snowshoe event (January 23, 2011), you will notice that I learned that equipment that "will do" because "I have access to it" is not so bright--rental fees would even be wiser. Since I'd done one triathlon on my mom's bike, I figured I could do another.
True, but yesterday's ride was a reminder that if I can invest in more appropriate equipment, my training and competition will be better. And my body might not hurt as much (like my snowshoeing blisters).
Of course, I walked in on a day that was the last day of a 10% off everything in the store sale. I found an awesome saleslady (who also does triathlons and is sponsored) who was very helpful and suggested I "test ride" several bikes.
Don't think I've yet mentioned the level of OW that my hiney was experiencing. I really was on more of an informational visit--intentionally not transferring money so I couldn't spend anything. Test ride was NOT something I wanted to do because I did not, not, not want to sit on anything even remotely resembling a bicycle seat.
Since I still don't understand the word moderation, I signed the form to test ride anyway.
Bike 1: Gingerly eased myself into the saddle and...not nearly as uncomfortable as I'd expected. In fact, once I got into the right position, it didn't even hurt. I spent 5-10 minutes riding around, shifting, braking, adjusting my hand positions and decided this is MY bike.
Bike 2: Got on and the seat was WAY too high. Took it back in, had it adjusted, and when I got out, the saddle was okay, but I felt like I was reaching really far to get to the gear shift and brakes. It felt too big and awkward. It just felt wrong, so I did a much shorter ride--it wasn't right for me.
Bike 3: Actually the same as bike #1, but the 2009 model. Liked it pretty well, but the angle on my shoulders wasn't as comfortable. I was wondering if it was just because Bike 1 felt so good, or if it was getting hard to tell them apart.
I rode Bike 1 around one more time and the difference was just huge. I spent more time talking to the salesperson and finally ended up asking her to hold it for me.
The next step would be convincing my husband, so I called him and asked him to come and look at the bike with me. In the meanwhile, I also called my brother-in-law, who is pretty knowledgeable about bikes, and he looked it up online, found out what they were asking for it, and told me I'd be getting a really good bike at a really good price.
At home, I had a talk with my husband. My dad recently gave us a little bit of money; this has been an overall good thing, but it's been challenging for us too. We want to use it responsibly and our first thought was to make it our emergency savings fund, which hasn't been replenished since it was drained two years ago during my husband's last layoff. On the other hand, there have been some purchases we've postponed for a LONG time, waiting until we had some extra funds.
One of those is (for me) a lawnmower that I can start by myself. We've lived at our home for nearly 8 years and without fail, every summer, we get a notice from the city about our front yard. I would mow, but I can't start the dumb mower. My husband says he would start it FOR me, but the timeframe from "I have motivation to get the job done" and "Mower is running" is not a positive relationship.
So as we're talking about this bicycle that I want, the lawnmower discussion comes up, again.
Strangely, the lawn was mowed less than 15 minutes later.
I don't think manipulation is very nice, but there have been a couple of very slick moves on my part since my husband and I met. I'm adding "save money by not getting a new lawnmower and get out of mowing the lawn myself in one discussion" to that list.
We went to look at the bike afterwards and my husband approved of the bike. Then he looks at me and says, "Now what?"
"Well, I'd like your blessing, or at least approval, to get it."
Seeing the look on my husband's face, the salesman stepped in. "You could lock in the 10% discount if you do layaway. It does require 25% down today, but it's fully refundable within 90 days if you change your mind....I'll let you two talk about what you want to do."
We ended up doing the layaway.
Meanwhile, I returned the shoes I'd worn for the race and the saddle cushion I'd got. They gave me a FULL store credit, without receipts. Since I inherited my mom's overhonesty, I told the guy when he gave me the gift card, that I hadn't paid full price for the shoes, and there was $15 too much on the card.
His response? "Don't worry about it."
Still hearing my mom in my head, I said, "I'm TRYING to be honest!"
He said, "And THANK YOU for that. Have a great day and please shop here again."
When I got home, I put my mom's bike back on the trainer in the living room, and decided to sit on it again for comparison. My hiney hurt, obviously, but I thought I'd try the shifters again (after using nice new ones).
FAN(insertbadwordhere)TASTIC. The derailleur that was broken for all 12 miles of my triathlon?
Works fine.
I'm still hoping to bring that layaway bike home though. We'll see.
When I'm rich, that is how I will start every day.
By time the massage was done, my husband and daughter had taken off to his soccer game. I decided I would go and look at bikes.
Because yesterday's bike fiasco was not fun, and if I'm going to keep doing this, I need equipment that works.
Okay, yes, yes, I need to keep any bike checked and working before starting on a course and even a new bike I could have similar issues with if I don't keep it maintained. However, the bike that I used (which I BEGGED my dad to let me use, and then let me keep using) was my mom's bike. They actually had it custom-built for her. It's a great bike, but it was designed for road touring (ie, carrying gear), and for someone 2 inches taller than me who also had longer limbs.
In other words, another example of good equipment, but not the right equipment for what I am doing. If you check out the post from my snowshoe event (January 23, 2011), you will notice that I learned that equipment that "will do" because "I have access to it" is not so bright--rental fees would even be wiser. Since I'd done one triathlon on my mom's bike, I figured I could do another.
True, but yesterday's ride was a reminder that if I can invest in more appropriate equipment, my training and competition will be better. And my body might not hurt as much (like my snowshoeing blisters).
Of course, I walked in on a day that was the last day of a 10% off everything in the store sale. I found an awesome saleslady (who also does triathlons and is sponsored) who was very helpful and suggested I "test ride" several bikes.
Don't think I've yet mentioned the level of OW that my hiney was experiencing. I really was on more of an informational visit--intentionally not transferring money so I couldn't spend anything. Test ride was NOT something I wanted to do because I did not, not, not want to sit on anything even remotely resembling a bicycle seat.
Since I still don't understand the word moderation, I signed the form to test ride anyway.
Bike 1: Gingerly eased myself into the saddle and...not nearly as uncomfortable as I'd expected. In fact, once I got into the right position, it didn't even hurt. I spent 5-10 minutes riding around, shifting, braking, adjusting my hand positions and decided this is MY bike.
Bike 2: Got on and the seat was WAY too high. Took it back in, had it adjusted, and when I got out, the saddle was okay, but I felt like I was reaching really far to get to the gear shift and brakes. It felt too big and awkward. It just felt wrong, so I did a much shorter ride--it wasn't right for me.
Bike 3: Actually the same as bike #1, but the 2009 model. Liked it pretty well, but the angle on my shoulders wasn't as comfortable. I was wondering if it was just because Bike 1 felt so good, or if it was getting hard to tell them apart.
I rode Bike 1 around one more time and the difference was just huge. I spent more time talking to the salesperson and finally ended up asking her to hold it for me.
The next step would be convincing my husband, so I called him and asked him to come and look at the bike with me. In the meanwhile, I also called my brother-in-law, who is pretty knowledgeable about bikes, and he looked it up online, found out what they were asking for it, and told me I'd be getting a really good bike at a really good price.
At home, I had a talk with my husband. My dad recently gave us a little bit of money; this has been an overall good thing, but it's been challenging for us too. We want to use it responsibly and our first thought was to make it our emergency savings fund, which hasn't been replenished since it was drained two years ago during my husband's last layoff. On the other hand, there have been some purchases we've postponed for a LONG time, waiting until we had some extra funds.
One of those is (for me) a lawnmower that I can start by myself. We've lived at our home for nearly 8 years and without fail, every summer, we get a notice from the city about our front yard. I would mow, but I can't start the dumb mower. My husband says he would start it FOR me, but the timeframe from "I have motivation to get the job done" and "Mower is running" is not a positive relationship.
So as we're talking about this bicycle that I want, the lawnmower discussion comes up, again.
Strangely, the lawn was mowed less than 15 minutes later.
I don't think manipulation is very nice, but there have been a couple of very slick moves on my part since my husband and I met. I'm adding "save money by not getting a new lawnmower and get out of mowing the lawn myself in one discussion" to that list.
We went to look at the bike afterwards and my husband approved of the bike. Then he looks at me and says, "Now what?"
"Well, I'd like your blessing, or at least approval, to get it."
Seeing the look on my husband's face, the salesman stepped in. "You could lock in the 10% discount if you do layaway. It does require 25% down today, but it's fully refundable within 90 days if you change your mind....I'll let you two talk about what you want to do."
We ended up doing the layaway.
Meanwhile, I returned the shoes I'd worn for the race and the saddle cushion I'd got. They gave me a FULL store credit, without receipts. Since I inherited my mom's overhonesty, I told the guy when he gave me the gift card, that I hadn't paid full price for the shoes, and there was $15 too much on the card.
His response? "Don't worry about it."
Still hearing my mom in my head, I said, "I'm TRYING to be honest!"
He said, "And THANK YOU for that. Have a great day and please shop here again."
When I got home, I put my mom's bike back on the trainer in the living room, and decided to sit on it again for comparison. My hiney hurt, obviously, but I thought I'd try the shifters again (after using nice new ones).
FAN(insertbadwordhere)TASTIC. The derailleur that was broken for all 12 miles of my triathlon?
Works fine.
I'm still hoping to bring that layaway bike home though. We'll see.
Saturday, April 2, 2011
After the Event
I drifted off (which had been my intention) as I was leaning back in my car. When I woke myself up by snoring, I realized I had a headache starting up...in a bad way. I took one of my migraine pills (which I'd thankfully remembered to pack) and moved from my reclined driver's seat to the back of the car to nap more comfortably.
I woke up about 45 minutes later and decided to get ready for the gymnastics meet I was going to volunteer at. As I sat up, I realized that I'd forgotten to wash the dog blanket after taking the three Golden Retrievers to the dog park...and that's what I'd been sleeping on.
My black pants more closely resembled fur pants.
I got out of the car and vigorously brushed them off, grabbed my volunteering outfit, and headed inside.
Although I'd volunteered for the event about two months ago, somehow my name got off the list and I did not have a station. Unfortunately, this meant that I could not be on the competitive floor at all, which was kind of a bummer. However, I DID get to watch the whole meet, for free, from the stands...and I used the opportunity to practice judge, which was actually a lot of fun.
By this time, though, soreness was already kicking in. Stairs, which I had to use several times, were NOT my friend. I couldn't bend my knees while weight-bearing, so if there wasn't a railing, I was in serious danger of falling down. One of my friends that I was sitting with kindly gave me some Aleve. I can't for sure say that it worked; however, it may simply have prevented me from getting worse.
One of the "gadgets" I'd picked up yesterday was this fancy ice cup thing. I had put it in Dad's freezer last night per the instructions, pulled it out and packed it just before 6:00 am, and completely forgot to use it. I left the meet at about 7:30 pm, and the instructions said it would last for up to 12 hours, so I wasn't hopeful when I opened it.
If only I could get paid for this, but I would become a total spokesperson for Ice-Up. It's an ice cup with a cooler, and then when you need it, it works like an ice massage. You can do the same thing much cheaper, true, with styrofoam or paper cups (like I did when I was a kid), but you need the freezer there, you can't transport it, and the ice eventually falls out of the cup as it melts. Ice-Up stayed cold for over 16 hours (I used it later too), and because of the design of the cup, it doesn't fall out, plus the holder doesn't freeze your fingers off, or leave you with scraps of torn-off cup to pick up. It is way cool.
I thought about using it on the drive home, but couldn't figure out how to use it just while sitting parked, so sealed it back up and drove off. I even went and visited some friends of the family (and sat on their floor and iced while we talked) before going home.
There was still enough ice to give myself another treatment before I went to bed, then take an epsom salt bath, then one last ice treatment.
I hope I will be able to walk tomorrow.
I woke up about 45 minutes later and decided to get ready for the gymnastics meet I was going to volunteer at. As I sat up, I realized that I'd forgotten to wash the dog blanket after taking the three Golden Retrievers to the dog park...and that's what I'd been sleeping on.
My black pants more closely resembled fur pants.
I got out of the car and vigorously brushed them off, grabbed my volunteering outfit, and headed inside.
Although I'd volunteered for the event about two months ago, somehow my name got off the list and I did not have a station. Unfortunately, this meant that I could not be on the competitive floor at all, which was kind of a bummer. However, I DID get to watch the whole meet, for free, from the stands...and I used the opportunity to practice judge, which was actually a lot of fun.
By this time, though, soreness was already kicking in. Stairs, which I had to use several times, were NOT my friend. I couldn't bend my knees while weight-bearing, so if there wasn't a railing, I was in serious danger of falling down. One of my friends that I was sitting with kindly gave me some Aleve. I can't for sure say that it worked; however, it may simply have prevented me from getting worse.
One of the "gadgets" I'd picked up yesterday was this fancy ice cup thing. I had put it in Dad's freezer last night per the instructions, pulled it out and packed it just before 6:00 am, and completely forgot to use it. I left the meet at about 7:30 pm, and the instructions said it would last for up to 12 hours, so I wasn't hopeful when I opened it.
If only I could get paid for this, but I would become a total spokesperson for Ice-Up. It's an ice cup with a cooler, and then when you need it, it works like an ice massage. You can do the same thing much cheaper, true, with styrofoam or paper cups (like I did when I was a kid), but you need the freezer there, you can't transport it, and the ice eventually falls out of the cup as it melts. Ice-Up stayed cold for over 16 hours (I used it later too), and because of the design of the cup, it doesn't fall out, plus the holder doesn't freeze your fingers off, or leave you with scraps of torn-off cup to pick up. It is way cool.
I thought about using it on the drive home, but couldn't figure out how to use it just while sitting parked, so sealed it back up and drove off. I even went and visited some friends of the family (and sat on their floor and iced while we talked) before going home.
There was still enough ice to give myself another treatment before I went to bed, then take an epsom salt bath, then one last ice treatment.
I hope I will be able to walk tomorrow.
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