Yes, I am currently wearing the AWFUL boot that I had to wear when I had the stress fracture last winter. Walking around Chicago in flip-flops was not a smart decision. I literally have an egg on the top of my foot. I guess that I first noticed the pain on Monday, and it's been gradually getting more painful since then. Walking home from Walker today (in my flip-flops) was excruciating. After a google search, I'm fairly confident that it is tendonitis in my extensor hallucis longus tendon. I can feel the tendon rubbing against its sheath, that creaky, frictiony feeling. I decided to wear the boot for - at least tonight - as a precaution: immobilizing the tendon usually expedites recovery. This hurts at least as much as tibial tendonitis. Poopies! Hopefully it feels better tomorrow!

The cook-out last night was one of the best birthday celebrations that I can remember from recent years. It was just chill, ya know? Anyway, I've been getting a little nostalgic as the moving date approaches. I did one of my favorite State College runs yesterday, the 10K running trail around the golf course. I'm sad that I only discovered that trail last summer! Who am I kidding though? I love to explore new places, and I will find new favorite routes wherever I go.

The tri club girls were at the pool again today. I was sad that I did my bike ride this morning because they were planning a 4:00 ride this afternoon. It's so much more enjoyable to ride in a group. I need to start planning to do group rides with the tri club and with CenTri. I'll never meet my goal of completing a century ride this year if I continue to bike solo. Actually, looking for local cyclists in my new hometown should be an excellent way to meet new people!

I'm excited for the outdoor pool to open next week :-D

My poor foot!



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Now playing: Blue Oyster Cult - Astronomy

Well, the day is here. It's too bad that the weather is shitty, but a cook-out tomorrow also will be fun.

My mom is hilarious. She sent me an e-mail about the swimming goals in my recent post. Evidently I could swim a 100 in 1:08 at the age of 9, but I cannot do that now. Maybe I should have had loftier aspirations!

When I put on my HRM today, my heart rate was 52! I haven't seen it that low since training for Philly. Then it actually went down to 48. Is that even healthy? Every time that I think about low heart rates, I remember the trip with the Delmastros to Cedar Point. We stopped at Berenstain Bear Country and got out HRs done. Dana and I were around 50, which is ridic low for children. The guy asked if we were swimmers... ha!

Chicago was awesome! I've really only been there a couple of times, and it was always for gymnastics meets (translation: I only saw my hotel room and the gym). Brandy and I stayed in a studio apartment in Lincoln Park. If I ever live in Chicago, I would definitely love to live in that area. It's prob hella expensive tho. As far as training, we only went for a short jog on Friday morning. However, I estimate that we walked nearly 10 miles on both Friday and Saturday. I'm excited that I get to see Brandy again this weekend for Jen's wedding! Brandy, I love you, and I miss you already!

Alright, I've compiled a list of races for each location that I'm currently looking at for jobs (note that I have not looked into whether any of these are sold out):

1) Madison

Saturday, July 12, 2008
Kenosha, Wisconsin
Lake Michigan Triathlon and Duathlon Races
Swim 1500 meters, Bike 24.9 miles, Run 6.2 miles

Saturday, July 19, 2008
Racine, Wisconsin
Spirit of Racine - Sprint Triathlon
Swim 750 meters, Bike 12.4 miles, Run 3.1 miles

Sunday, July 20, 2008
Egg Harbor, Wisconsin
Door County Triathlon
Swim 1.2 miles, Bike 56 miles, Run 13.1 miles

Sunday, July 20, 2008
Racine, Wisconsin
Spirit of Racine Triathlon (half iron distance)

Sunday, July 27, 2008
Eagle, Wisconsin
Tri-ing for Childrens Triathlon (Adult Races)
Swim 1 mile, Bike 25 miles, Run 6.2 miles
Swim 1.2 miles, Bike 56 miles, Run 13.1 miles

Sunday, August 10, 2008
Winneconne , Wisconsin
Oshkosh Triathlon
Swim 1500 meters, Bike 28 miles, Run 6.2 miles

2) Virginia (There are actually a lot of triathlons in the King George area..)

Sunday, July 13, 2008
Montclair, Virginia
Montclair Triathlon
Swim 1000 meters, Bike 18.6 miles, Run 5 miles

Sunday, July 13, 2008
Colonial Beach, Virginia
Pohanka Cadillac Colonial Beach Triathlon
Swim 1500 meters, Bike 24.9 miles, Run 6.2 miles

Sunday, August 03, 2008
Culpeper, Virginia
Culpeper Sprint 2008
Swim 750 meters, Bike 15 miles, Run 3.1 miles

Sunday, September 28, 2008
Warsaw, Virginia
Naylors Beach Olympic Distance Triathlon and Aquathlon
Olympic aquathlon - Swim 1500 meters, Run 6.2 miles
Olympic triathlon - Swim 1500 meters, Bike 26 miles, Run 6.2 miles

3) Monterey (I love how many aquathlons are offered in CA!!!)

Thursday, July 10, 2008
Cupertino, California
UBS Splash and Dash Series Race 2
Swim 1500 meters, Trail Run 3.1 miles


Saturday, July 12, 2008
June Lake Triathlon
Swim 1500 meters, Bike 24.9 miles, Run 6.2 miles

Sunday, July 27, 2008
San Luis Obispo, California
San Luis Obispo Triathlon

Sunday, August 03, 2008
Santa Cruz, California
Sandman Triathon
Swim ½ mile, Bike 15 miles, Run 4.2 miles

Saturday, August 23, 2008
San Francisco, California
Alcatraz Challenge Aquathlon & Swim
Swim 1.5 miles, Run 7 miles

Sunday, September 14, 2008
Pacific Grove, California
Triathlon at Pacific Grove Day #2
Swim ¼ mile, Bike 12.5 miles, Run 2 miles
Location: Lovers Cove - (The swim is in Monterey Bay)

Sunday, September 28, 2008
Aptos, CA, California
Mermaid Womens Triathlon
Swim 400 yards, Bike 11 miles, Run 2.5 miles


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In other news, I'm finally starting to feel like I am getting back into race shape. I was able to run 8:30 pace for the 5 mile that I ran this morning. One of my big training goals is to significantly improve my speed. I'd like to be able to run a half marathon at about 8:15 pace or so. This goal is entirely feasible considering that I ran last year's Presque Isle Half as a 'training run' for Philly at nearly 9:00 pace with negative splits. If I can meet this goal, then I think that qualifying for the Boston marathon is within reach...

Over the last couple of weeks I have been thinking a lot about the future, mostly because I will be moving and starting a new job in July (*hopefully*). I'm turning 25 soon, and, as a woman that I was sitting next to on a recent flight blatantly stated, that's a quarter of a century. In anticipation of these events, my mind has been abubble with ideas/plans for the future.


Goals that are not written down are simply dreams, so....
1) Run a 5K with 7 minute splits.
2) Swim a continuous 100 yds of butterfly. Swim a 100 free in less than 1:20.
3) Work up to a century bike ride.
4) Complete a half ironman (hopefully there is one in the area that is not sold out!)
5) Join a sailing team/club.
6) Learn to snowboard.
7) Raft a new class V river!
8) Plant a tomato/pepper/herb+ "garden" (somewhat contingent on my future place of residence). Subsist off of Greek salad - j/k. kinda.
9) Make blueberry jam.
10) Learn to play a musical instrument proficiently. Because I know the basics, piano or guitar? I have always wanted to learn the trumpet though!
11) Volunteer with a local community program (e.g. Habitat for Humanity, tutoring) regulary.
12) Drink less boxed wine.
13) Post on this blog more frequently. ha.

....

14) I want to skydive, but it scares the crap out of me.