In Yellow Lab LaLa Land, Backing off on the Pain,and our Ironman Amulet

Wakey Wakey

I woke up Friday morning with a big yellow lab snuggled up against me, with his head on my chest.

This is Jasper. He's my roommate's dog. Liam was out of town for the night for double top secret undercover coast guard work.

Jasper was lonely. And so was I.

This is the same Jasper that gave me that shiner last week (see previous blog). But it was an accident, and the eye looks better by the day.

Back pain punctures

Then I rushed to my doctor's office for my quarterly cortizone injection! Yes, I get excited because for a few days, I live without any back pain. It's a real treat.

I'm a regular at Houston Medical Imaging. It sooooo helps, especially with endurance events.

Two LONG needles are inserted on each side of my L5. Dr. Cain gives me his special mix. What's in this cocktail, I have no idea, nor do I want to know.

And he goes in very gentle (okay, get those depraved thoughts out of your head!).

Notice the two dots on each side of my back. Oh, and that's a funky tan line above the lines.

Doesn't my back look deformed here?

This is probably my most important pre Ironman prep. It masks some of the pain endured from the pounding.

So I was relegated to swimming on Friday evening. I was a bit sore and tired from the injections, but I managed three loops at the good ole trusted RV lake with Kelly and our newest commune friend, another Kelly. I love girl power!

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Chelly's Charms

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I wanted Kelly and I (together we make "Chelly") to wear something special for "our first" Ironman....because "they say" the "first" is always the best.

So i got us both this cool looking charm from Fly High Little Bunny, a funky jewelry shop in Montrose.

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According to Sonya at FHLB, this is a Tri scallion. You can't tell by the photo, but it symbolizes victory, achievement and success. I plan to touch my charm everytime I need a mental pick me up during next sunday's big race.

At Liam's suggestion, and through what I believe to be divine intervention, we decided we'll have this design tatooed to the head part of our M dot.

It's all coming together so well ...

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Cheers and happy training!

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Orison Swett Marden - “People who have accomplished work worthwhile have had a very high sense of the way to do things. They have not been content with mediocrity. They have not confined themselves to the beaten tracks; they have never been satisfied to do things just as others so them, but always a little better. They always pushed things that came to their hands a little higher up, this little farther on, that counts in the quality of life's work. It is constant effort to be first-class in everything one attempts that conquers the heights of excellence.”

Surrendering, Suiting Up, A Cycling Soiree and an Ironman imprint

This Breaking News Just In And Now a word from TriRyGuy, with an update on pinkgurugal's blog off war with RedAllezGuy. TriRyGuy: Sources tell us that Pinkgurugal is prepared to raise the white blog off flag on RedAllezguy in order to resume to regular blog affairs. " I need to return to my blog roots. To the essence of my blog. To share and care. I'm typically not into schadenfreude (thanks Ironbabe Jane for the word), but Red started it. So poop on you!", she said, giving us her infamous confounded child look. TriRyGuy: We'll stay on top of this story and bring you more as it develops. Now back to our regular programming Blah Blah Blog So for those who have logged onto my blog and were offended by my most recent one "uncovering" my counter blog's twisted past, I am calling a concession, a respite from our discordant dissertations. Let it go. Let what will be...be :) Because Holy Hay!!! We are in the waning days of the Wisconson Ironman! The countdown is on! More on this in a moment.... But first, I'd like share my recent trivial affairs purely for entertainment purposes. Dress for Success This week my company issued T-shirts for our staff. Since they didn't have a kids size 12, I opted for the retro look, the oversized shirt dress. Notice the comfort and flow. I am bringing back the trend. Say you saw it here first and only on pinkgurugal's blogspot. Too much baggage Everyday I carry what seems like a 50 pound luggage to work, filled with all kinds of junk, including 20 pounds of makeup, my real "adult" shoes (I wear my crocs into the office...again trendsetting), paper, magazines, hairspray, food and other items I dare mention. And everyday I tell myself I need to buy a bag with wheels to roll into the office. See, I suffer from a bad lower back..a fracture line on my L5 and small slippage at the L5 S1. And carrying heavy things only excaberate the pain. The pain is at its worse before a big race. So I get cortizone injection about four times a year, I've got one scheduled for Friday. Now I hate needles like the rest of us, but when they stick it to me in my lower back, it feels sooooo good. Tatoo Test So I'm getting the obligatory IM tatoo after the race. Even if it seems so commonplace these days, I don't care. It's all about me. I can be selfish sometimes, or a lot of times in my case.

So today I decided to Sharpie it in to see how I'd like it. Big or small?

The one on the left is the small one. The one on the right is the big one. I think I'm going for the traditional red and getting it somewhere in between these sizes. And on the left ankle. Funny, I never thought I'd permanently imprint what looks like a Pac-Man ghost onto my skin, but here I go... the idiosyncrasies of ironman racing... Sugar Cycles ShinDig Last night the Sugar Cycles Cycling team's culminated the end of their race season with a get together at Berryhills. A Betty Ford Find? We were not sure who this woman is, but she sang and cheered with us much to our glee. To Kooky Kismet! . Well, any gathering at a Mexican restaurant calls for Margaritas. And like always, none of us had any self control. Even after a hard night of training (yes, tapering still feels tough?) The Sugar friends ended our night at another bar, coming home way to late. It was all Liam's fault. But it sure was worth the fun and laughs. Tapering Torment? So how do I feel with race day days away? Well the training has been fine, but of course I'm freaking, of course I'm having dreams of not finishing, and of course I get a pit in my stomach when I think about how many hours damn hours I'll be out there or what if I bonk. I even went to a hynotherapist this week to get positive peak performance reinforcement messages into my subconscious. (ha ha! say that a few times!) The images in my brain looked and felt something like this. * I feel like this sick little girl who just wants to crawl into a hole and needs her mommy. Only I'm not white and blond.

But failure is not a word in my vocabulary. And neither is fear. I live in denial of that and negativity. It's worked so far.

Let's pray that it does on September 9th. And that I finish the race with a big smile on my face like I always seem to do.

Cheers and happy training!

Richard Milhouse Nixon - “The true idealist pursues what his heart says is right in a way that his head says will work.”

Red All Ez's Answers

Pinkgurugal has been asked by her blog nemesis Red all-ez to trace his roots. Since my IMOO reports are all but over and I have superior investigative skills, I gladly accepted the challenge.

Red All-EZ and Aristocracy?

When Red once confided in me that he held certain genetic similarities with one famous horse named Seabiscuit, I started doing a little research.

I dug deeper to understand why he was all "hung up" about this Seabiscuit parallel.

Well it appears, size matters in his family lineage.

Red, do you remember your long lost sister, Rozette All Ez??

Then I tracked down Red All-Ez's mother, who tells me she is very proud of her children. This celebratory photo of Momma All ez was taken just after she checked out of the Richmond State School.

Red, you should be very thankful you have such great genes. Now it's time for you and your life partner Mike to have the family you've always wanted.

Go ahead, enjoy your lives together!

Pinkgurugal gives this happy couple her blessings!

Cheers and happy training!

William Butler Yeats - “What shall I do with this absurdity - O heart, O troubled heart - this caricature, Decrepit age that has been tied to me As to a dog's tail?”

Exposing the Real Red All-ez

Baring the Truth

Pinkgurugal noticed this ad in this month's OutSmart magazine, a monthly magazine for Houston's Gay and Lesbian community.

Since I needed to hire a stripper for an upcoming bachelorette party, I called up this "gift trap" guy.

We spoke. He sent an additional reference material as proof he performs to please. He loves the ladies.

Then we met to discuss business. As luck would have it, Gift wrap is no other than

RED ALL-EZ GUY!

See, money is getting tight. He's in career transition. And doing some soul searching, he found his niche. He didn't gain acceptance as a child (see previous blog). It's in the strip club where he feels most at home.

And he makes the most money catering to men. He told me he enjoys this most.

Work it Red All ez! You have many men "behind" you!

Cheers and happy training!

Friedrich Nietzsche - “In revenge and in love, woman is more barbarous than man.”

In kooky company, Heedless habits, and May the force be with me

See Jane Come Over After a long day at the office on Saturday and a short track run, Liam and I feverishly got the commune ready for new company. Well, not really. Jessica made a grocery run while I ran and Liam and Kelly biked. Ironbabe Jane was coming over.

We were all VERY nervous. Would she like us? What if she can see right through us and figure out we are all.... Head Cases See, Jane is not just a triathlete, she's a psychiatrist. A shrink. Someone who helps wackos like us. My shrink had me draw this during my last session. We wanted to impress Jane so we splurged and made steaks. And while Jane likes her steak nice and rare and bloody... She likes her french bread extra done.

Whatever Jane wanted, we did it. We were trying our best to make a good first impression. Canine Cuddling

Jane also brought her daughter Toby. Toby and Jasper instantly locked eyes and connected. They are now BFF's, even if Jane got crushed like a grape trying to tear the two apart

Training Transgressions At this point, I am almost certain Kelly and I were the same person in a past life. As organized as we attempt to be, invariably one or both of us forget something when we cycle. There's just so much crap you have to take! This time I forgot my aero bottle, even though it was strategically placed on my breakfast table, along with other waters bottles as mnemonic devices. Even the sponges were in the bottle. Yep, plain forgot it. Kelly forgot her SHOES. So there was a moment of panic. We are 60 miles from home. There is no bike shop around at 6:30 in the morning out in the middle of nowhere. Hope was fading until from a distance, we met with... Fiona Fate There were some triathletes getting ready a few cars away. I recongnized a few of them and asked if anyone had extra bike shoes. Who knows? Why not take a chance. As if God was saying, "Okay Kelly and Chau...I'll give you ANOTHER break," ...Fiona happened to have an extra pair, albeit a few sizes too big. Bless you Fiona!!!

Tragedy averted. Kelly got shoes. And she got to ride wearing 3 pair of socks to fill out the shoes. Oh and check out her new Gut'r on her forehead. It wicks the sweat from your eyes. I swear by it. Kelly likes to copycat me. She gets everything I get. I think she just wants to be me. A Yoda Yearning Some blog entries back I recounted Kelly's encounter with Derek, the massage therapist we met at the buffalo springs half ironman. Within minutes he became her new BFF , her Yoda. Stories of "Derek said" have become tri commune lore. Well if Kelly can have one, I want one too. Maybe "Derek said..." But "Yoda said..." “Size matters not, ... Look at me. Judge me by size, do you?” This Yodaism speaks to me. Pinkgurugal's Paragon Meet Larry Lipton. He's a bit taller than Yoda and isn't green. But he imparts similar sage wisdom. He has accepted the challenge of being my Yoda. It's a tough one. He's a community activist and an extraordinary human being. Funny, altruistic, wise and an all around good person.

We talked about all that matters in life: you, your God and loving and helping others. Oh and my obsession over triathlons and his over motorcycles. Our lunch today was food for my soul!

I'll leave you with one of my favorite "Liptonisms". Cheers and happy training!

"All the frosting in the world isn't going to make the cake better." Larry Lipton

PinkGurugal digs up a dark past

Red Allez Guy Revealed I am starting to learn more about my counter blog Red Allez guy. According to state mental records uncovered by Pinkgurugal, he grew up in a small farm Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. That's Amish country. Yes, he is Amish. But he didn't fit in. He felt out of place. He was ridiculed. He was teased by other Amish kids. He didn't look like them. Red Allez Guy had a penchant for Amish sweets. That was his escape. Years later, he is still trying to find his identity.

Red Allez, we still support you. We know it's tough and you need help. We have a friend. Her name is Crazy Jane MD. Cheers and happy training! “Only those who attempt the absurd will achieve the impossible. I think it's in my basement... let me go upstairs and check.” M.C. Escher

Worn Out and Watch Out!

Swipe that Sweat I don't know about you, but I sweat profusely when I train.

I bought a new bike trainer this week at Sugar Cycles. I needed a new one because the tension on my old one stopped working. Even though I am in Ironman taper mode, this week's workout was still tough.

I kind of look like this guy after training . Glistening in pain.

It's not a pretty sight. Or smell for that matter.

I'd be an ideal candidate for sweat surgery. I think they call that condition hyperhydrosis

Suit to Sweat

Now, don't get me wrong, I support professional attire. Heck, when I head to work I'm almost too conservative. But your Sunday best OUTSIDE? In the scorching heat?

I spotted an irritated colleague struggling to stay comfortable.

I wish the rules would change for the men. It's really not fair and just damn BALLS HOT to be wearing wool.

I work best outdoors in flip flops. Women have more creative clothing license. I like to mix things up.

Head on Collision

I suffered a training setback when taking Jasper and Ally out to the park Thursday evening.

Pinkgurugal Goes Down!

While bending down to take a ball from ally's mouth, Jasper ran towards us, inadvertently head butting me on the left side of my eye, right at my eyebrow.

At first it swelled. Then it morphed into funny colors. Then I called the domestic violence hotline. Not really.

And my 1 1/2 hour run was suspended. Beer helped.

Cover Up Conversion

All day today I received funny looks from people. It would be an afterthought that it had to do with my new look. Well, I needed my old look back.

Mac makeup worked its miracle. Not to mention those funny shades of reds and purples blended pretty well.

Cheers and happy training!

“Happiness is not an ideal of reason but of imagination.”

Immanuel Kant

Good eats and Red Allez' Revenge

Healthy Habits After conceding yesterday that my pre Ironman diet was devoid of both nutrition and substance, I decided to pull out my unfailing Foreman grill and sizzle up some raw chicken tenders. I ziplocked the pieces and threw some dressing in it. Then I stuffed it into my lunchbox. And I stuffed a gaggle of other munchies in my box too. * Pinkgurugal's Muckamuck for my Wednesday Workday * Breakfast: coffee, kashi bar, a shot of vitamin juice. snack: 1 slice toast with all natural peanut butter and sugar free jelly snack 2: 30-40 grapes plus carrot baggie plus a few pretzels lunch: another p b and j , but this time TWO slices of bread :) lunch 2: 4 chicken tenders! snack 2: 2 bite size snickers stolen from bosses desk LOTS OF WATER * I am a grazer. * On the Eating Agenda * Since I live my life in controlled chaos (really), I have to make lists to ensure things get done. Especially when it comes buying food. Truth be told, that is why we've been malnourished in the tri commune. * Pinkgurugal's mostly guilt-free grocery gets * fat free milk (for the coffee)

turkey meat

yogurt

fruit (any kind, i eat em all)

veggies (most kinds)

heart to heart cereal

more chicken

coke zero

BEER (a MUST at the commune)

kashi bars

kashi crackers

fat free cheese

string cheese

more chili mix

more whole wheat pasta

I'm a pretty simple eater. And i hate to fill my home with junk food. Otherwise it will going into my mouth. A big thanks to my roommate Liam for doing the grocery shopping. I hate going to the store.

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Pinkgurugal's famous store bought spaghetti with more Foreman grilled chicken

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This was our dinner tonight.

Not surprising, so was this.

This a new Harvest Moon flavor. Sort of a pumpkin spice. A fall-like effervescent delight. Rules are Meant to be broken?

Even though Liam and I just enacted a lights out by 10pm policy at the commune to better train, it was quickly breached. That lasted one night. Company came over.

Kelly made her usual appearance. And she had a lot of say. Notice the strain on her neck. Also a special shout out to Jessica and Christine and the other Kelly (i forgot to take their pictures!) for stopping and eating at the commune. And Kelly, thanks for bringing your decadent homemade brownie! A major yummy dessert hit!!! Since we stayed up late, Kelly spent the night. She had a presentation this morning, had no clothes, was running late, so I dressed her up in my clothes. Doesn't she look so cute and corporate? And she's posing next to my new beloved Oreck! Commune life is so laid back. Oh yeah, and I did train today, contrary to the photos. 1 1/2 hour swim followed by a 80 minute bike trainer workout. and weights. hmmmm....

**Red Allez Avatar?

Today I received word that pinkgurugal has a blog nemesis at work, by the name of Red All-ez guy, dubbed to be my antithesis. RedAllez refers to his bike as well. Or "all-ez", which is seemingly appropriate

I'm a simple girl with a complicated mind. He's a complicated guy with a simple mind.

Note the simple look here

I'm pink. He's red. I checked out his blog.

May the blog off begin Red-Allez guy! Pink rules. Red, you're going down.

Cheers and happy training!

Dr. Samuel Johnson - “Almost all absurdity of conduct arises from the imitation of those whom we cannot resemble.”