the utter agony of being inside.

This week is a gorgeous summer week- one that you can only hope for, and if you get it, even one day, you would be spiteful to miss being outdoors all day. Upper 70s, cool breeze, sunny with no clouds in sight. All week!!!!

Ugh.

I went to the doctor today for my mono check up and got the OK on the swollen spleen and liver and they also took some blood to make sure the liver is back to normal. I told him about biking and he said yeah.... take it easy. He's not too eager for me to start working out again. But, well, it's just so HARD to be inside this week. I think I might go for a run tomorrow becauseeee....

my bike is a bit of a mess right now. It needs a tune up quite terribly. The wheels are wobbly, the chain is dirty, and only one set of brakes works. And the tires are nearly flat. Fantastic, though, I got a Groupon last week to Copenhagen Cyclery for a complete tune up worth 75 dollars but I'm only going to pay 25!!! I love Groupon. It makes dreams come true.

After I get my bike fixed up, I will be riding all over. I want to eventually teach myself to give my bike a tune up on my own, but I will only think of that once my research is done for good. You can only learn so many new things at once..... ballet, guitar, jewelry-making, and triathlons are enough for now.

Also, my camera is broken so there won't be any pictures on the blog for awhile, but here enjoy this one I took yesterday with EJ's camera when we did a photoshoot for some new jewelry I made that is in the Etsy shop now:

screw mono and my swollen spleen, i'm going for a bike ride.

Just got back, in fact.

It. Was. Brutal.

Before I even put shoe to pedal, I told myself: only 30 minutes. I don't care how good it feels to be out on a beautiful sunny summer afternoon flying along at top speeds on your bike, which you haven't ridden in nearly two months, only 30 minutes. And that includes the bike to the lake.

I didn't have to set any time limits. 15 minutes in I decided to take a break and stare at the gorgeous blue lake for about 5 minutes, and drink half my water bottle. I don't know if it's the 80 degree weather or the fact that I haven't biked in so long, but it's like starting all over again. 15 minutes on the bike and I'm panting hard.

pistons of doom, pistons of doom. my legs are pistons of doom.

The good thing is that my legs don't hurt. It was more the oxygen and racing heart that slowed me down. still, it felt really good. Even though I had to weave in between DOZENS of people, including rollerbladers HOLDING HANDS taking up the entire way, and children swordfighting with balloon swords and people who just didn't give a damn about where they walked or getting out of your way, I love the lake. and the blue expanse of sky and golden sunlight and I even love the effort it takes to bike and have my lungs scream for mercy.

because I won't be able to do this forever. and a few weeks ago I couldn't. so I am blessed to be able to bike today.

my watch

Let me start this post by stating outright that time has never been my friend. Perhaps I don't respect it enough, don't realize it's value, or just find almost everything else more important, or perhaps it just isn't on my side. I call wearing watches being "shackled to time," handcuffed to it's whims and bound to it's measurement of life. I've been criticized since kindergarten for being late, late, late! Detentions, demerits, lectures on the value of time and the disrespect shown to others when I am late, fights with friends, docked grades- all have, in 27 years, failed to teach me to respect time.

I should take a moment to state that I am, surprisingly and ridiculously and for the most part reliably on time for jobs and classes. Duly noted.

SO. One of the first things I did when I decided to do a triathlon, is buy a watch- a stopwatch, even. I know! And I even wore it every day. I know!

Have I been more on time since wearing a stopwatch every day? nah. In fact, I use it mostly to time how long public transportation or cabs take, or walking, or I time people walking by, or the I time the seconds between waves... I really like the stopwatch feature. It can turn almost anything into a game.

Of course it is also my lifeline during difficult runs, bikes, and swims. It told me exactly how much longer I needed to keep going, how much I had improved, and how much further I had to my goals. Many times in the cold of winter with 20 mph icy headwinds I would roll up my sleeve and desperately will my watch to tell me I was almost done with the run. If there was a camera on it, it would show my face in despair and pain during a difficult workout, in joy as I completed a lap faster than the one before, and in freeing bliss in the middle of a wild bike ride along the lake.

My watch became a constant friend on my wrist- a loyal witness to all my ups and downs. And, I took it off for the past three weeks. It's absence has been palpable, like a missing limb, and time has just flowed by, my body given a break from time to fight the virus, hours, days, weeks, blending into one.

Tomorrow, however, I will wear the watch again. The break is over; it is time to start training again. Tomorrow I start over.

on not exercising.

I can't begin to explain how frustrating not exercising is. I went to the pool at my apartment complex today and some guys were swimming and I wanted nothing more than to jump in a do a few laps myself... but was resigned to sit at the poolside and read. It was so frustrating I left after a few minutes. I used to break up my day with a run or bike along the lake and feel so much better after I got back that I could sit down and concentrate on the rest of my day. It was like the run or bike would empty my mind and body of all the thoughts jostling around and make room for creative ideas. Now the thoughts are just jostling around with no hope of being cleaned out. Exercise became a way to dust my mind off and fill me with ideas. And, oddly, it's really only in it's absence that I notice how important it became.

I'd love to just run outside and play some beach volleyball, badminton, kick a soccer ball around, throw a Frisbee, go hiking or camping, swim in the lake, run, bike, anything! When I can train again I'm going to do it with a vengeance to make up on this time missed.

ugh. patience.

Rainy day joys

I have an affinity for "bad" weather- summer storms, winter storms, rain, snow, sleet- makes me undeniably, ridiculously giddy.

maybe i could turn this into a mono blog

I was feeling great friday, but since then, haven't been able to get a whole lot of sleep. I can't sleep during the day- I can't fall asleep at night, and I am, consistently tired. And its not just the tired-from-lack-of-sleep (after all, i still get at least 8 hours a night)- its the body-fighting-virus exhaustion all over. And yet, my body won't sleep. go fig.

So, I've had enough. Either my body sleeps like it's supposed to, or I'm just going to go on with my daily activities (minus the exercise). Today I'm going to finish my website, do 5 loads of laundry, do the dishes, go grocery shopping, and dye my hair just because I am so bored and what do I do when I get bored? Dye my hair. This is the longest (about a year) that I've gone without dyeing my hair, so that's saying something.

My goodness even my blog is boring. Someone amuse me quick.

doldrums

So...... .... .... ......... .. ..... . having infectious mono is boring.

i could REALLY use a long bike ride.

Last week I had lots of fun complications with the mono involving my liver, which meant I spent part of my days and nights on the bathroom floor vomiting... tmi? Anyway, that fun is all over, and today is the first day I feel "normal". My tonsils no longer look like a drawing assignment on the manifestation of infectious mononucleosis, and I'm not super exhausted or nauseous. So, I walked to the bank today, which was pretty much the most exercise I have done in the past 3 weeks. I really want to walk to the lake right now but know better. It would probably be too much for one day.

A word on how I got mono- I have NO idea. I don't know anyone who has it, I haven't kissed anyone in months, and I am the ultimate germaphobe when it comes to sharing utensils and drinks. I blame public transportation.

Does anyone know if you can do situps with mono? I'm pretty sure my spleen isn't enlarged, but the doc did say no running for awhile in case of rupture. No more fist fighting either.

It's really something else to have your life completely stopped. And let's face it, I haven't hated it. I don't have to see people, I have so much time to think, and just exist. Also, I didn't go home, and there's some sort of confidence knowing that I can still fend for myself in the city even with mono. My roommates helped me out with groceries and my friend brought over chicken noodle soup, and went with me to one of my dr visits, but mostly, it's been me taking care of me. I feel strong. Like I could move to London all by myself and be OK.

I feel the need for an adventure. The need is like an itch. This idea of London is growing...

Anyway, as for the tri... I will try to do the Aug tri in Chicago, but I am concerned- I don't have much time to train- less than 2 months, and I'm not sure what the doctor would say. Sad times. I WILL get a tri in this year!!!! I WILL!! I'm sure those muscles I worked so hard for those past 4 months are still here somewhere....

this really sucks.

I have mono. So, no tri. more later, maybe. i'm pretty bummed right now.

(don't worry, i'll still do the chicago tri in august with TNT)

derailed

So Sara might have been right- went to the doctor today and got a blood test for mono. I should know later this week what's up. Had a fever of 101 all weekend, so... I did swim on Friday and run on Saturday. The doc today said I shouldn't run, in case of enlarged spleen, but swimming and biking are ok i guess. He said it just won't feel very good. Honestly, I just don't think exercising right now is the best idea. If I do have mono, I think it's pretty safe to say the Elkhart Tri is cancelled for me, and I will just focus on the Chicago Tri at the end of August (wherein I will do the olympic distance)

So, that all stinks. But what can you do.

I survived on tylenol this weekend, and enjoyed seeing a friend from NYC and going to a wedding at U of Chicago. I also made a new friend, who is going to bike with me. Guess I will focus now on fixing up some artwork and my website and making a few jewelry pieces, I guess! and my research... should probably work on that so I can be *officially* done with school forever.

Sunday Scrabble in the park

Photo credits: Sara E

Turns out Sara and Josy are formidable opponents- Pionek? not so much. :)

Headache has finally gone away, so going to try to do a bit of exercising this week- walked to Millenium park yesterday with friends and played scrabble and was EXHAUSTED afterward... whatever I had wiped me out, and I'm taking it as easy as I can today. Have a couple of long days ahead, so we'll see what gets done tri-wise. Hopefully bike today, swim tomorrow, run wed and bike thurs. Maybe try to get some bricks in (run+bike). I haven't done an intense brick yet, and everyone I talk to says they are the most important workout you can do before a tri, since the switch from biking to running feels really weird.

bring it!

worried

I am sick since Thursday with some sort of intense headache that hurts when i move my eyes- like blinking, or sudden movements. My neck also hurts when i move it, and my lymph nodes are swollen and tender to touch. I've been googling my symptoms all day yesterday, and i'm pretty sure it's not a migraine- even though i am nauseous, because I don't have sensitivity to light. It might be a sinus infection, but I don't have the fever, and my head isn't ridiculously stuffed. mysterious.

But, this means I haven't been training the past 3 days and i'm getting a little worried. I never, ever, intended to take time off from training for school, let alone then getting sick. I was just thinking the other day how amazing it has been that I haven't been sick all year- not even a cold, and chalked it up to exercising 6 days a week. I guess, maybe, since I stopped for 2 weeks, my defenses got weakened and now I'm sick? I dunno, but if the headache is still around on Monday I'm going to a doctor. I need to get back on track with training!!!!

this is all very discouraging, and I'm rather worried. rah.

alright kids, here it is

the.... WETSUIT!!


And a video- yeah, it was EXACTLY like this. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=daiHgI5OKpQ&feature=related

I really want to wear it on the bus and convince people I'm a super hero.

Any other ideas for uses other than swimming in cold water?

This is my tri top and tri shorts.


Exciting stuff. Lots of feeling like a porpoise and spandex. Oh man what have I gotten myself in to.... :)

here is a story about my dad

but first, a quick update- swam about 1700 y on Tues, and my trapezius is so sore! yesterday i ran and my stomach was very nasty, but it still felt good to run. today i bike. the weather has been horrible- 40s and raining. plus I think I'm getting sick, so it's very hard to leave the apartment. Oh, also, got my wetsuit and TNT tri top yesterday so, pictures of them later on in the day. good for a laugh...

but my dad. SO. A few months ago I went home, and my dad was like, hey, heidi, i have something to show you. So I followed him to the study, where he had a treadmill!! He had bought it at goodwill for like 5 bucks or something and proceeded to show me how he uses it. My dad, who, btw, is 6'4... got on the treadmill and held on to the rails with both hands on either side of the treadmill and showed me how he "walked" every morning, for about 15 minutes... the thing was, my dad is tall, and holding on to the rails that were lower than waist height for him, made him almost double over while he was walking. I asked him, "dad, why do you hang on to the rails?" he answered, like I was an idiot, "so I don't fall off, Heidi!!" "dad, you know that if you just keep walking you won't fall off, right?" "no, you can't be sure of that Heidi, because you see, the tread just keeps going." By now I was doubled over myself, laughing. My dad is not a stupid man. But no, he is not athletic. He is strong, and does lots of yardwork and builds things like sheds and fireplaces and cars, but we were lucky to get him to play catch with us when we were little. He and my mom were always sort of more curious than proud at my interest in track and high jump. Like, they never quite understood WHY I would want to run in a circle or jump over a bar. They came to my meets almost more out of curiosity, I think. I'm not sure my dad had ever been on a treadmill except for stress tests before he bought one himself. So, seeing him doubled over doing his "workout" and looking at me like I was insane for thinking he was insane, was just hilarious.

I got on the treadmill and showed him how I run on it without holding on to anything, and see? I don't fall off. Then my mom, who was watching all this, asked if, since I was running, could the floor handle it and wouldn't I fall through the floor?

oy.

which all means not a whole lot of this

Training has been at worse than a standstill. Between everything going on, it's a bit insane. I haven't run, biked, or swam in what feels like years. I deliberately took today off so I can get back on schedule tomorrow, with a swim at 7, when I get my wetsuit!! whoohoo! I plan on not missing another practice until the tri, which is about a month away.

I haven't exercised in so long that I feel a marked difference in my energy levels and concentration levels. I also haven't been eating well, spending immense amount of time behind my computer, and forgetting to do many basic things like eating and showering. I know, I know. I just get into work zones, and notice very little else. I cleaned my room and the guineas today and feel much better being surrounded by cleanliness again. Time to get back on track before things pick up again!

and also this:

WHOOHOOOOOO!!!!

My Etsy-ness

A few weeks ago I was at a fabric store by school getting supplies for a school project. I found a bin full of appliques, and this deep purple one that called out to me to make something out of it. I immediately thought of stringing it around my neck or wrist as a sort of bracelet. I left the shop without buying any because they didn't sell clasps or chains, and I really wasn't sure how to make jewelry. I decided to check out the other stores along the street, and one of them was a jewelry-making bead store. I started talking to the owner and described my idea of a necklace to her, and we decided I should go buy those appliques and come back over and pick out some chains to match. So, I ran across the street and bought the deep purple applique and some other ones that I liked, and then went back to the jewelry store and bought some chains and clasps. I ended up talking with her for about an hour, as we discussed ideas about how to make these necklaces. She suggested putting two clasps on the chain, since then you could swap the chain with many different appliques.

The rest is history. I researched jewelry making, found a website that sold more chains and clasps, and bought a bunch of chains and appliques. Yesterday I made about 14 necklaces and bracelets, and listed them on Etsy, I worked on them all day, took pictures, listed them, and fell asleep around 4am. Good times.

So, this is how I'm going to pay rent this summer! I'll see how well it goes over, and then add beads and other jewels to them, maybe try to sell them in a craft store or something... we'll see. The possibilities are endless! I love them all and want to keep them all for myself...

http://www.etsy.com/shop/DijoDesigns

Also check the Etsy link at the bottom of my blog page.

let's chatch up in several posts.

a lot has happened, my friends.

First off. This article is about a mushroom farm I used to work on back in 2002. I am now (hopefully) going to be selling mushrooms for them at farmer's markets around Chicago. I am really excited about this, I have had a LOT of jobs, but this one, by far, was one of my favorites. Stay tuned.

http://www.jsonline.com/features/food/92709759.html?referrer=facebook

Apollo

run like mad

i missed the swim yesterday and the run this morning (school work! schoooool worrrrrrk!) and today after sitting at my desk for an insane amount of time, i just had it. I threw some running clothes on, grabbed my music and went to the lake. And then i ran. like a madwoman. at a sprint, i couldn't help it. my legs flew fast and my breath barely kept up. all along the lake. passing tons of people, so many people out today. i saw an old man with knee socks up to his knees, and then knee pads on, i saw two foreign tourists taking pictures of homes along oak street, i passed two British girls sitting along the lake, and many, many, very affectionate couples (ugh), two middle aged men of the same build and baldness level wearing nearly matching clothes (only different colors) running very slow, a woman with a walker and a basket full of bags, two girls who looked like they belonged on the Hills walking a small white dog, a group of guys with a volleyball heading to the beach volleyball nets, lots of guys running with their shirts off, lots of girls who looked like they hadn't been outside or exercising since last November wearing "cute" workout clothes trying to impress aforementioned guys with shirts off, a couple that took up the ENTIRE right side of the pathway at a very busy place, a woman in military fatigues, and a group of 15 people wearing matching purple tshirts. fat, old, skinny, young, fit, pale, dark, men, women, foreign, local, feeble... anyone, and everyone.

and then i sat and stretched. and saw pristine white sailboats, and a cruise ship, and a grey blue sky brimming with clouds, and a blue lake with grey reflecting circles of sky, and a (finally) distant city, where all the noise in the world emanated from, muffled, distant, and surrounded by blue.



it was a good run.

why hello there.

So, confession.

I took the last 5 days off of training.

School is just nuts- I walk in commencement next Thursday, and the majority of my immediate family is coming, and I have about 10 pieces of artwork to get done before then, and a few presentations, and I also picked up jewelry making (more on that later) last Friday. I am still working on my etsy account. stay tuned. no really, do stay tuned. It's how I plan on paying my rent this summer...

Anyways, I'm on hyper-drive right now, which means little sleep and I hardly notice until i absolutely CRASH (happened yesterday). I DID bike to school today, the windiest day of my life- 24mph winds! And, it's spring in the city, which means pollen in the air, and since it's spring the road construction is coming out, so there was a lot of debris in the air. At times it felt like I was being exfoliated with city dirt. Awesome. I also was biking with a v. heavy bag (laptop, sketchbooks, etc.) which threw me off balance. HOWEVER, while it was not ideal, or the most lovely ride of my life, I did feel SO GOOD afterward, and still do, and will probably do some core work to keep up the good feelings.

I'll most likely do my Friday swim tomorrow, and the brick workout on Saturday (it's along the lakefront). We get our wetsuits Saturday. exciting. But those will probably be the last workouts until That Time Which is After Friday. when my semester is finally, really and truly, over.

here' is a smidgen of my latest piece- spent all day yesterday working on it, and enjoyed it immensely!


Oh, and a little story for you if you're interested: I bought my cap and gown today. It was funny, my gown size was on the cusp of two different sizes, so she had me try it on in the store, and when I put it on, I put my arms all the way through the sleeve, and the sleeve end was sown shut. I looked at her with a horrified expression, where did my hands go? and then she explained to me that masters gowns have "wings" and there is a hole before the end of the sleeve that you put your hands through. We both laughed pretty hard. In fact, I could hardly stop laughing. oh man.