Off to the races

I'm going to try and sound all "triathlete-chic" and say that Racing Season has begun. Please don't make fun of my times, because I'm new to all this, and my only main goal is to just FINISH all these events.

I started training a few weeks back with a friend of mine, Erika, who is great about ahem, "encouraging" me to work out at least three times a week. The best thing for me is working out in the weight room with the football team, because they're very good about "motivating" each other to push hard, which makes me push harder, just being near them.

A few weeks back, Jeremy, Reggie and I did the Canine Canter, which is a 5k fundraiser for the WSU College of Veterinary Medicine, and I finished in about 33 minutes. Then, last weekend, I bought a bike. It's a used Fuji hybrid with road tires, handlebar extensions, and a racing seat, so I think it's just about perfect for my needs. I need a lot of practice, though, because I'm not comfortable yet.

This weekend is Bloomsday, a 12k, and should be a fun family event, with Jeremy and my whole family running. My goal is to finish in 90 minutes, which would mean 12-minute miles. I think I can do it if the motivation is there, and my "weaving" skills are up to par. Jeremy's hoping to finish in 60 minutes. I know he can do it!!

THEN start the traithlons. This means I need to get into a pool to start swimming. I bought a swim cap and goggles, and found out that the pool on campus has a "women's session" on Mondays and Wednesdays, so I'm going to go. I am! Really.

We're already signed up for the Race the River Triathlon in Coeur d'Alene on July 26th, but I think I want to do another one as well. I'm considering:
- Spring Festival Triathlon/Duathlon in Moses Lake, 5/25 (sprint distance)
- The Moses Lake Family Tri, 6/6 (offers family, sprint, and olympic distances)
- The Ellensburg Tri, 8/8 (close to sprint distance)

Let me know if you know anyone who has done any of these! 5/25 is awfully close, but we'll see!

In other news, I'm totally lovin this ring. Why are things like that so expensive? :(

Idol

First, let me start by saying:
"Those who regard vain idols forsake their faithfulness." Jonah 2:8

In the past, I have always enjoyed watching American Idol, although I will admit that the show is infinitely better when watched on DVR, because then you can fast forward through Seacrest's silly babble and the rough performances. This season, I knew it was all going downhill when the focused in on "bikini girl" for not one, or two, but THREE episodes.

Then we got to the top 20, and they started doing group performances. Oy, vey. In the past, these have been great! But this year, they're all cheesy and lip-synced, and boring.

Also, Paula Abdul has gotten increasingly crazy every single year. I did find out that her contract expires this year, and I'm hoping that the addition of fourth judge Kara Dioguardi is meant to ease the impact as Paula leaves the show. She brings nothing to it, constantly telling the contestants they were wonderful (despite how horrible they were), besides her goofy choreography last night.

I don't mean to sound like I'm ragging on the show. I really like Kara and Simon, and I praise the show for finding some truly great talent over the last 9 years.

But the funniest part of all this season is how it is so clear cut that Adam Lambert will win it all, and nobody else has a shot, despite how lovable Danny is or how cute Kris is.

A little something for the ladies

So I'm really looking forward to seeing 17 Again. I love those "get a chance to go back and do it all over again" type movies, a la 13 Going on 30, Big, Freaky Friday, and Back to the Future.

I also really like Zac Effron. Here's why:And if that wasn't enough, here's another reason:

Oh, calm down everyone. He's legal (22). Oh, did I mention he can sing, too? :)

I love these!

A new one. ABC Family played The Sound of Music on Sunday and I watched the whole stinkin' thing. :) So I could sing along with this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7EYAUazLI9k

Fast Food Junkie

I'm a self-proclaimed fast-food junkie. I absolutely love it, always have, and I absolutely know how bad it is for me. In fact, I'm pretty well-versed on it, having read most of Fast Food Nation and having a husband who I tease about his "organic lifestyle."

McDonald's is my guilty-pleasure of choice. I usually crave it three times a week, but I control myself and go for lunch usually about once every other week (sometimes more). I go through phases, though. In college, I went through a Taco Bell phase, because it was cheap and right by my house.

In fact, I'm actually thankful for things like Fast Food Nation and Supersize Me, because it made chains like McDonalds and Wendy's clean up their act a little bit. For example, McDonalds got rid of "super sizes," now sells salads and fresh fruit, cooks its fries in trans-fat free oil, and now offers milk and apples as an alternative to soda and fries for kids. (But don't forget that the apples come with caramel dipping sauce...)

While I'm on the topic, let's not forget that McDonald's is one of the few remaining very strong American companies, and along with Wal-Mart, employs more workers than any other corporation in our country. Not only that, but McDonalds is the US's largest purchaser of beef and potatoes (#2 in chicken). Talk about "good for the economy."

Of course, binge-eating fast food every day is completely idiotic and even, I think, a form of deliberate self-harm, which is why lawsuits against McDonalds for making you fat are so laughable. People, just like with everything else in life (alcohol, sun exposure, ice cream), MODERATION is key. Here's my favorite meal at McDonalds (what I usually get for lunch):
McChicken Sandwich - 360 calories
Small French Fry - 230 calories
Small Diet Coke - 0 calories

Now, while I realize that 590 calories is not exactly a healthy, smart lunch choice, it's better than, say, a Burger King triple Whopper with cheese (1200+ calories).

Here's Proverbs 23: 20-21. (ESV). "Be not among drunkards or among gluttonous eaters of meat, for the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty, and slumber will clothe them with rags."

A busy week!

I've been grouchy lately, with seemingly no explanation. Turns out, I was Vitamin D deficient. (this is a self-diagnosis, by the way)


After one gloriously sunny weekend, two baseball games, and one really fun Sunday Brunch, I'm feeling much more myself. Which is definitely a good thing, since I've got a crazy week this week.


Monday - have friend over, watch the NCAA National Championship game.

Tuesday - WSU baseball, Bible study.

Wednesday - girls' movie night: Twilight, Marley & Me.

Thursday - open practice, judge video tryout submissions.

Friday - Good Friday service.

Saturday - 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. dance team tryouts.

Sunday - Easter (church, brunch).


I'm so excited to take on this week! And I think a BIG part of that is due to the sunshine! PTL