Road to First Mini Triathlon

5/25/13

When my sister asked if I wanted to do a mini tri in August I originally thought, thanks but no.

Then I gave it some consideration and thought what a great way to work some more muscles, tone, define and broaden my horizon. 
I already ran, I use to swim in high-school and seriously, how hard could riding a bike again be???

I downloaded a training schedule, bought a bike at Costco along with helmet.  I tested it out by riding around in my suit and heels in the store and scored the floor sample so I didn't have to do the necessary "assembly required".
Brought it home and said Yes to the mini tri!

Ummmmm, seriously underestimated the bike riding ease!  Riding a bike is not the childs play that I remember it to be. I curse the hill we live on :):):) PS. Is it normal for your lady parts to fall asleep while riding? 

About five minutes in (all uphill btw) I thought thank God I only spent $250 and Costco would take it back cause this blows!

Alas, I couldn't quit this soon into it and  I decided to trudge on and make it up the hill. 

I read a blog on line about tips for beginning cycling and was getting confused by what all the gears do and when to use them. One learns very quickly what all the gears do and don't do, what makes the bike faster, slower, harder and more efficient, why you don't wear floppy pants especially on the chain side and how to put the chain back on if it slips gears cause there is no way you are walking you and the bike home.

Day 1 conquered the hill! once I became one with he bike and familiarized myself with how to properly ride it, all was good, not easy, but good. Did 22 Minutes, legs wobbly but overall had great time :)

Vitamix in the house :)

5/25/13

Inaugural kick off of the Vitamix!

She had me at the thai soup.  Sally was demonstrating her Vitamix at the Costco in Torrance.  Sally has a great attitude, a lot of personality and the ability to show you how to make delicious creations in minutes and the clean up is even faster!

Sally made us thai soup, green drink, tortilla soup and banana freeze which even I (a known banana dis-liker as is her sister) thought was delicious. I asked her not to tell my family that I like the bananas freeze as I have been so adamant about Never liking bananas but I decided to fess up myself.

I was sold!!!! Everything was so nutritious, colorful, efficient and effortless -- what more could you want?

I got one of the last white ones, brought it home, cleaned it and displayed it proudly on the counter.

Today I made my own Green Drink that I normally would have juiced.  Kale, spinich, arugula, cilantro, dandelions, carrot, green apple and mango -- added some filtered water and ice ---- Delicious!!!! Took minutes including the clean up as well. Didn't have all the leftover pulp, used way less veggies and fruit and it yielded enough for extra. My juicer looks a little nervouse :(

Next will be soup :)

Unencumbered

I wrote about if it is broke, fix it on 12-2-12.  I decided that I have to take my own advice.  I started with getting AAA out to jump start my car that I had been procrastinating for 3 weeks.  That was the catlylyst that started a monsoon of projects.
I am ecstatic to say that I am sitting here right now typing, feeling serene, calm and accomplished.  That one act lead to checking off a to do list a mile long.  A couple of highlights were:
getting the house painted (muchhhhh needed), going through every closet,  every cupboard, every drawer and oh yes, wait for it........"the garage"!  Within a matter of four days, I had more stuff to donate to the Salvation Army than they were probably even ready for.  When the "army" came that Saturday, I think they gave me more "salvation" than I gave them :).
I feel liberated, free and yes "unencumbered".  Instead of taking a road trip for our holiday vacation time, we dedicated it to checking off the "to do" list........it was sooooooo worth it.  I am more relaxed and anxiety free than any vacation could of given me.

It is true with so many accomplishments - we all know this in our hearts and souls.  It all starts with one small step.

Take the first step and the possibilities are endless :):)

Take it!

If it is broke, fix it!

Start with the little things that are on your list of things that are broken.  A figurine that needs a piece glued on, a doorknob that needs its screw tightened, your Internet connection that you just need to call the provider to come fix -- the small things will lead to bigger things. Your to do list will start shortening before your eyes and your stress level/tension will start to diminish.

You will probably find that completing these tasks frees up your brain to start accomplishing other, maybe bigger tasks, creative, financial, etc..

Small Steps, Big Things :)

Take the first small step!