Kathleen's Adventures

Here's a small glimpse of what I have been up to lately. Last weekend I decided to get "crafty" and decorated a cork board to hang in my new office. The walls are boring grey/white and there is nothing colorful or exciting on them, yet. Before: After I added a few things - of course most of it is Molly, Kate, or Bennett related: I am proud of my rare attempt at being crafty. The side and top green ribbon hides magnetic strips, so I do not have to poke hole in my pictures. I also figured out a way to bring PINK into my office without having to paint an entire wall that color...although I still want that...just don't think it would be approved. Now, for yesterday's ride. We rode in Galveston down to Surfside Beach and back and then some. We were never more than a few hundred yards from the water and parts of it were just beautiful. The road to Surfside was washed out in Hurricane Ike, but it was just recently repaired and it is awesome. Ike made the beach a bit big...

Confession: I did not run a single mile after a single long ride heading into IMCDA. I think I did just fine... Confession #2: This is not much of a confession because I have been quite verbal about it at times. I think bricks are more for mental "comfort" than anything else. I already know the first 1-2 miles I run after I ride are going to suck. Why do I need to practice that suckage over and over again? I do think bricks are a good way of getting 2-for-1 out of your workouts, thus saving time, etc. And I do think some people benefit more than others by doing the brick workouts. A weekday brick is still on my weekly schedule, so all this does not mean I flat out do not do them, but I do not necessarily think the actual brick workouts help me race any better than had I done a bike ride in the morning and a ride in the afternoon on the brick days. On top of that, it also just means I do not feel very guilty after a long ride when other people go out to run and I go e...

We all had a great day on the beautiful Neches River a few weeks ago when I got to go home for a few days. It was a day filled with "adventure" to say the least. Growing up, we always went to the river on the weekends, mostly because Dad worked on weekdays. This time we got to go on a Friday because now 20 years later he works four days a week instead of five. We were the only boat out there so that was awesome. Perfect water! While we were launching the boat, we saw a large group of people over at the picnic area. Some of them walked over and I realized it was a group of mentally handicapped adults. A woman, presumably a volunteer, or one of the people in charged, asked me what we were about to do and asked if I minded if we went back and forth in front of the park a few times so the group could watch. I said no problem! Then a few of the others started to introduce themselves and we talked about skiing for a few minutes while Dad finished getting the boat ready. They were ...

Don't expect love in return; just wait for it to grow in their heart...but if it doesn't, be content it grew in yours. - Unknown I have had this quote in my little quote journal for years but gees, it is soooo much easier said than done. I wish just knowing it grew in your own heart was enough.

I have to keep reminding myself. A few weeks ago I had an "oh yeah...." moment when I remembered that I had said all along if I did end up doing IMFL after IMCDA , that it would have to be "totally for fun ." I'm trying to remind myself of that a lot lately, but so far things have still been fun for the most part. My only "issue" now is that getting a PR by over an hour at CDA was one of the most fun days of my life...hmmm...so how does that all play out heading into FL? I think it means instead of the "have fun" mentality I need to have the " anything can happen out there" mentality - as in I am not guaranteed anything on that race course on that day, nor is anyone else. I can keep a good attitude about it and remember that I am doing it all for fun, but need to also remember not to expect anything other than 140.6 challenging miles. I can hope for a good finishing time, hope to meet or exceed the subconscious goals that s...

Mrs. Schaefer's cancer is back. It is the same cancer she had before, but in a new spot. PLEASE pray for strength and courage for her and her family as she kicks this cancer in the ass, once and for all. Philip, on the other hand, is doing great. His surgery went well and he should be back on his feet before too long (but not necessarily on a bike....)

I got this in an email from Kelly today (they aren't her random thoughts but I will still give her credit)...some of them are pretty funny! I wish Google Maps had an "Avoid Ghetto" routing option. More often than not, when someone is telling me a story all I can think about is that I can't wait for them to finish so that I can tell my own story that's not only better, but also more directly involves me. Nothing sucks more than that moment during an argument when you realize you're wrong. I don't understand the purpose of the line, "I don't need to drink to have fun." Great, no one does. But why start a fire with flint and sticks when they've invented the lighter? That's enough, Nickelback. I totally take back all those times I didn't want to nap when I was younger. Do you remember when you were a kid, playing Nintendo and it wouldn't work? You take the cartridge out, blow in it and that would magically fix the problem. Every ...

I just paid money for something called a "Tardiz." Not only that, but I bought someone else's tardiz - it was too small for him. This is also something I swore I'd never buy, so that makes it even funnier. The jury is still out as to whether or not I will actually use the tardiz - for fear that I will look like a...well, you know...

Please please keep Mrs. Schaefer and Philip Shama in your thoughts and prayers over the next few days, and possibly much longer than that. Mrs. Schaefer is a very close family friend as our families have basically grown up together. Their youngest daughter is my age and their oldest is my sister's age. We carpooled together, grew up at church together, did ballet together, took piano together, sang in the choir together...you get the idea. Anyway, Mrs. Schaefer was diagnosed with uterine cancer and after enduring the terrible, yet life-saving beast known as chemo, she was told she was in remission. I saw her at church recently when I went home and I think it was her first day back singing in the choir. You could just see the joy and sheer happiness radiating from her as well as every face in the congregation that lit up when she made eye contact when them during the choir procession. I felt so privileged to know her, and to be a very small part of her victory lap up and down t...

My right heel hurts. I'm not blaming the Newton's yet as the pain came after my first track practice in a few months during which I only wore the Newton's 1.5 miles. I'll wear my old shoes until my heel calms down and slowly start the "break-in process" again. It is hot outside. I cannot wait to go home next week. I get to spend time with 2 of my 3 favorite girls in the world and also get to hopefully spend a day on the river with those girls and my parents. I cannot wait to ride my bike while I am at home. I can ride from the driveway without worrying about getting killed...no 40-70 mile drive required. I am not perfect and I'll be the first to admit it although I think others may be jumping in line to say it first these days. Tomorrow I go back to "group running." I hope I can keep up with the group...really not sure about that right now. I have no idea what my bike plans are yet for Sunday and that drives me crazy. Maybe I have a touch of...