What Two Triathletes Get Each Other for Christmas...

First of all, happy holidays everyone! We were busy preparing for and going to six (yes I did say six) Christmases, so the posting is a little late.

So what do two triathletes get each other for Christmas? Well, since I got Tony this past summer, there were no presents under the tree for me this year. He's still in the entry way of our house, though (I can't bear to send him out to our garage), so I could just look over and think of all of the great rides we'll have this year.

I got Steve a wetsuit for his upcoming races this year. He still has to model it for me. I also got him a huge tub of Carbo-Pro. It won't take long for the two of us to use it up! The Triathlete's Guide to Mental Training was wrapped up and under the tree. We both can use a little help in that department! Oh, and I got him an ornament, something that sings and dances. Overall, it was an awesome Christmas. I've already got ideas for tri Valentine's Day presents:)

Below is our failed attempt at getting our cats to dress up for Christmas. Steve posted our "good" picture.

You can tell they're thrilled. Yes, those are footed pajamas. Kids' size XL. I think they are making kids' clothes bigger than they used to. I haven't worn that size since 5th grade.

Happy New Year everyone!

A Fork in the Road

In an effort to get myself revved up again for the upcoming race season, I've been finalizing my race schedule for the next year. I should have all of the kinks worked out tonight because I'm meeting with my other residents to negotiate our weekend schedule after Jan 1st. When I was looking up the dates for my prospective races, I discovered that 2007's Twin Cities Marathon will fall on my birthday. Hmm...

After this past year, I swore that a marathon 3 weeks after Ironman just wasn't worth it. Now I'm just wondering... I'd like to get your opinion, so I will present the pros and cons.

Pros:
- The 2007 marathon will be 4 weeks after Ironman. This year's was only 3 weeks post IM.
- It's on my birthday - what a fun way to celebrate! I ran my second marathon on my 21st birthday, and it was a blast.
- There's a good chance that my sister Steph will be signing up for the first time this year. I'd love to be able to run it with her.
- Being a week later next year may mean a little cooler weather. 50 degrees is much more agreeable to me than 70+.
-Presumably, I won't have pneumonia next year. It certainly complicated things this year.
- Streaks! This would be my 8th one in a row.
- Steve's all for it. He already told me he thinks I should do it.
- Who knows what the family planning situation will be in 2008. I may not be in a state to run marathons...

Cons:
- Running the marathon on top of IM this past year greatly extended my need for recovery time.
- Um, this year wasn't exactly a PR.
- I would run the race just because I could and may take the spot away from someone whose dream it is to someday run a marathon.

I dunno. I'm just putting my thoughts down for now. I won't actually have to decide until the beginning of May this spring. Any thoughts out there?

A Lesson From One of the Cats

Someday, I will post pictures. My cats are hilarious. I'm usually more of a dog person. I like the idea of having a full time running partner who's always excited to go however far I want to. In the meantime, I'm perfectly happy with my cats that fetch (seriously!), greet us at the door, love their bellies scratched, dig through the garbage, and drink from the toilet (we try to keep the seat closed to avoid that last one). Steve and I joke that we've been training them to be dogs since they were babies. I think it has worked.

The other day when I got home from work, I turned on the lights and sat on the couch for a second. Ella the Cat fell asleep sitting up with her head under the lampshade. I looked over and realized that I know exactly how she feels right now. I am craving sunlight and warmth. There are only four days total per month when I get to see the sun. Lately I get into work before the sun comes up and leave well after it has set. I have thought for a long time that I get some component of Seasonal Affective Disorder. The other day, I looked the symptoms up on the internet. They are:

1. A change in appetite, especially a craving for sweet or starchy foods
- check. Chocolate has become my new best friend.

2. Weight gain
- unfortunately, yes

3. A heavy feeling in the arms or legs
? not really sure on this one. I don't think so...

4. A drop in energy level
- double check. I can barely muster up the energy to turn on the TV in the evenings, much less get in a good workout.

5. Fatigue
- Check. I know I'm busy, but I just seem to be so much more tired than normal. I've had my thyroid and hemoglobin tested, so I don't think it's anything easily explainable.

6. A tendency to oversleep
- I can't get out of bed in the morning. The only thing that gets me out of bed is promising myself that I can take a nap when I get home in the evening.

7. Difficulty concentrating
- My mind is always racing, so I don't know if I'd notice.

8. Irritability
- Check.

10. Avoidance of social situations
- It's hard to tell if I'm avoiding them or if I just truly don't have time for many social activities right now because of my work commitments.

I don't really feel depressed. I just don't have any energy. I don't feel very ironmanish right now since I can barely get off the couch.

I have been getting these symptoms every year for at least the last 10 years, but they don't usually get too bad until January or February. They seem to be early this year, maybe because of my work schedule? I know that come March and April, everything will warm up, the sun will stick around longer, and everything will be back to normal. I'll be back on my bike outside, I can wear a single layer of clothes on my runs (it's going to be highs in the 20s today - brr!), and it won't be long until I'm swimming outside again. The freckles on my face will explode like they do every year, and my pasty white complexion will become a little less pasty.

I'm not sweating all this too much yet. I still have plenty of time to be increasing my base workouts before IM training officially starts back. I just need need to find a little M-O-T-I-V-A-T-I-O-N...