A Comcast Life

I've lacked in my blogging, because my life doesn't have any of those zings and blings. However, I have found someone to take my place, to be the show in my blog.

The other day I went to the local Comcast to pick up a cable box. I had cable, but could only get ~8 channels and not the channels I wanted, so I thought I'd spurge and get the cable with "over 40 channels". Anyway, I was in the store, someone called "next in line" and I went up to the teller. The teller didn't say hello or ask me what I wanted or anything like that. Instead she went straight into her life story, which I have to say tops mine altogether. She had been married 28 years, had two kids with one of her kids, an 18 year old daughter a real trouble maker. Over the years the 18 year old had reported to the police that her dad molested her, beat her, etc... The other child, a younger boy, had just watched all this, he was the quiet one. The Comcast lady's husband was verbally abusive over the years, had his mother yelling at her too and to top it off had cheated on her. Though, she had cheated on him too, ~17 years ago and yes he still hung this over her head every chance he got. Well, after 28 years the husband has now moved out and the daughter is going off to college. This week-end will be the first week-end this woman, a country sounding, chain smoking, ~40 year old, will be spending solo, and she wasn't excited about it. She was still hopeful on getting back with her husband or was she? That was still up for debate. Whew...

You're probably wondering how long I stood at the teller counter listening to this soap, if my eyes popped out of my head or if I was served popcorns, snacks, etc... but it really wasn't that long and since there weren't any commercials it seemed to go by pretty fast. I guess she just needed an ear and I was there. It showed me that my life is pretty quiet and mellow, though I'm perfectly fine with that.

6 to 1 to 2

My work assignment initially brought me to East Tn for six months, then after a month or so into my stay the bar was raised to one year. Now after much debate and wear and tear on the magic eight ball I'm here for a two year period. Thank God I have a very supportive and understanding husband.

In the meantime, I've put my IM racing and actually all racing on-hold. Though, now I'm debating, should I try training for an IM from afar? Without my trianing buddies? Without my support system within ear shot? What do you think?

I know, you probably think I'm crazy for coming over here in the first place, though I feel as though this job position is a privilege, great opportunity to learn and grow my resume and an interesting, intellectual challenge.

And heck, it's only two years right????

Friends

Once in a while life will spin all through my head and I’ll try to convince myself that I get a better quality work out when I run solo at 4:45am vs meeting up with friends while it’s still dark-dark outside for an early morning run. Or that riding my bike unaccompanied is easier then getting together with folks dressed in blue or green or any other bright color. But, I have to say, I need my friends, I’d rather be with my friends, I desire my friends and I miss joking/talking/laughing with all my friends.

A good friend is a gift. So this blog is my gift to you good friends… I miss you and love you. Our times together are in my mind along with a big ol’ smile in my heart. :)

My last run?

A little over two weeks ago, on a Friday morning, I was ~45 minutes into a run down one of the beautiful and hilly wood lined trails. I felt strong, the weather was perfect, and it was a good run. Then I felt a needle-like sharp pain in my lower back, right side. It hurt, but not a show stopper. I decided to turn around, run back to my apt so I could get some aspirin and then head back out. Well, ~15 minutes later I was stopped. I could barely walk. My stride was shortened and each step was painful. Little did I know, that was the beginning of my +2 week battle with my sciatic nerve.

I stretched. I took over the counter meds. I even took prescribed meds. And if you know me, I do not like to take any meds. The pain kept getting worse. I could barely walk with each step extremely painful. I’d wake up in the morning dreading to sit up in bed, because I knew it was going to hurt so badly. I had such a difficult time focusing on anything, because of the pain. I truly feel for anyone that has chronic pain. I just can’t imagine…

I finally turned to a fellow triathlete/ Physcial Therapist, she recommended MFR (Myofacscial Release). http://www.wholisticphysicaltherapy.com/mfr.htm. Per the website: Myofascial Release (MFR) is a mild form of stretching and balancing that has a profound effect on the body’s tissues at a deep level. MFR is sometimes very gentle, and because of its gentleness many people wonder how it could possibly work. However, MFR uses a complete range of pressure from “off the body” energy work to gentle pressure, to deep and very deep pressure when it is appropriate. You always have control of this pressure and no one has ever been injured.

I was a little skeptical, yet desperate. Skeptical because it’s branded as a holistic approach; the founder looks like the actor from the Quaker Oats commercial. Yet, I was more desperate then anything. Every step I took I wanted to cry. So my triathlete/PT friend helped me locate a PT/MFR in the Knoxville area. I called the PT, she stated she could get me in that day, before she headed to Atlanta for the week-end. It was now or never. I jumped in the car and she met me at the door. She spent an hour pulling/rubbing/suctioning/manipulating me. I realized half way through that I hadn’t shaved my legs in over a week, not that I could, I couldn’t bend down. I apologized, she could have cared less and actually me too. After the session I still hurt, maybe a little better, but it was questionable. However, I remember my PT friend telling me that it would not be an overnight fix, it would take a few sessions and some time.

However, the next day I felt like the gods were shinning down on me. The pain was not nearly as strong. My leg stride was a little longer. I didn’t want to cry each step. What ever she had done it was truly the answer. I would have brought her a cake and balloons if she would have been in town. And from then on I was on the road to healing. Nope, I still can’t run, but each day I am getting better. I saw my new PT wizard again last night, thanked her profusely while she did her thing. I’m off the meds. I’m on my bike. There’s a hitch in my step, but no tears in my eyes.

If you’re hurting and in doubt, believe me, MFR is a blessing.

Swim time

I'm anxiously waiting for the work day to end so I can race out of here to swim. I found a local pool, but the lap swim hours are a little limiting. Therefore, on Tue/Thur/Fri I try to wind up my work activities by 5:40 so I can swim for an hour at the local Civic Center. The pool has seven lanes and surprisingly it gets pretty crowded, though I have yet to share a lane. However, I'm sure once I shave my legs, wear that pink bikini or brush my teeth I'll get more offers. So...

The pool website states the pool temp is 81', yet I beg to differ. The water temp is always the same, cold. I sit on the side of the pool and will myself to get in. Luckly the lack of swim minutes on my side gives me a push in and the cold water keeps me moving.

I don't have any swim gear with me (yes I have a swimsuit), the gear's still in Memphis, hopefully being used by Jerry and/or Suzi and Pierre. So swimming laps is just that. I usually just swim continuous laps until the lifeguard tags me on the foot and tells me I have to get out, because there's little fishy lessons.

I should have mentioned sooner, but I have to give a plug to the lady manning the front desk. It's $3 each time I swim, which is another motivated to get the most swim for my buck. You would think she would be happy/polite/smile or anything positive when I hand her my $$, but I have yet to get it out of her. I'm wondering, should I really piss her off and pay her in pennies or just keep being really nice to her and try to kill her with kindness? The jury is still out, though there is an expiration date on the kindness container.

Looking for that positive challenge

My gf Joy, with the husband that still has a new car smell, sent me a link to a blog that I can totally relate to, though I really wish I couldn't especially with the Key West 100 mile relay in three weeks. But it's nice to know that I'm not the only one in this boat. Thanks Joy!

http://willtrainforcreamcheeseicing.blogspot.com/2010/04/head-games.html Don't you love the link name? Maybe that's my problem, maybe if I ran for cake icing I could go forever...

When I arrived in East TN 1.5 months ago running the woods was a challenge, but a positive challenge. Though the last couple weeks my head has been playing games with me, making my runs a struggle at times. I'm hoping this doesn't have to last. I'm hoping this is just a micro-phase. So.... If you have any advice, suggestions, reading material, Anything.... I would gladly love to hear.

Relay anyone?

One of my co-workers, Jeff, who's a really nice guy, intelligent, easy going and a super fast runner asked me to be part of the women's relay team in the Key West 100 mile relay in mid-May.

When he asked me to be one of six women on the relay team, I went back in forth in my head, thinking "wow so cool, what a great way to meet others and vacation in Key West at the same time"... Though also thinking "what if the other runners aren't as friendly as Jeff and what if I'm SO much slower and let them down". Well, after a mini debate I said YES and met the other team mates this morning at a 5K in Knoxville. (drum roll please) And they were all really nice and genuine, a real pleasure to meet. I feel much more at ease now and eager to train; yes I need to get my act in gear with less than a month till the race.

Ok the relay race, there's six runners on a team, I'm traveling with one men's team and one women's team. The race is 100 miles, therefore each runner does 6 x 5K (approx.) with 2 hours of rest time in between each run. The race should be pretty flat with a big a$$ bridge every once in a while. No doubt it will be hot and sunny, but there should also be a sweet ocean wind.

So, if the weather would cooperate I could get back out there to run, again....

Absolutely Beautiful Week-End In Memphis

This past week-end was absolutely wonderful, for so many reasons.

After three weeks apart I was finally reunited with my long lost husband. And depending on which one of us you ask, we’ve either been married for 7 or 8 years (7 years is correct though) and it is still wonderful to be with him. He’s my best friend and husband all rolled up in one. We've started a new tradition since I’ve been working out east (yes clean fun), I’ve been home three times and each time he’s picked me up at the airport then we go out for a large/big beer and chips & salsa. It’s actually a lot of fun and a great way to catch up and unwind before heading home.

Then of course the week-end was filled with Joy and Jeremy and their wonderful wedding. I don’t have any pics to show you, but I know for sure that both Laura @ http://gilmourgirlgoesmemphis.blogspot.com/ and Damie @ http://damieroberts.blogspot.com/ and more than likely Joy will too….. http://joyjohnson.blogspot.com/. You’ll have to check them out. The wedding was absolutely beautiful, Joy wore an off white long beautiful strapless gown and carried a bouquet of bright wide opened yellow tulips; she looked stunning and could have modeled that gown in a magazine. The bride’s maid’s dresses were periwinkle and we carried bouquets of mixed yellow and green. While the guys wore dark grey pinstriped suits with periwinkle ties with a touch of yellow floral. It just all went so beautifully together. The wedding was held outside in a courtyard with a waterfall and full bloomed pink and white azaleas, a picture perfect setting.

I felt totally honored to be in their wedding, proud as a peacock :) . Joy is a wonderful person and she married a great guy. It makes my heart smile just knowing that they will be so happy together for a very long time...

Mother Nature

Mother Nature has done a fabulous job in the woods..... the lilac and honey suckle florals are wonderful. The beautiful natural smells are gorgeous.

By the way...

Three days till I'm hugging my hubby! If you see him ask him if he has his hug on...

Five days till Joy and Jeremy's beautiful wedding!

No riding?

I've been here for +4 weeks, but have yet to ride my bike. The weather's been great, the roads are sweet, I've read the inviting posts regarding rides, here all the stories of how perfect the it's been for riding, and have seen all the colorful outfits out on the road.......

Gayle was kind enough to lend me her bike case and FedEx was kind enough to ship my bike here, but the bike packers let me down =:-O (Jerry and me).

As you may know, you have to remove both wheels and the handle bars from the frame in order to fit the bike in the shipping container. Done. But where did 3 of the 4 bolts for the stem go? Not in the bike case. No where to be found. And might I add, not an easy pick-up at the local hardware store or bike shop.

Well, after hunting for a few weeks I found bolts at http://www.competitivecyclist.com/, same place I purchased the bike.

Moral of the story, don't enjoy big beers with good friends and then pack the bike.

Turkey hunt

Remember those two plump wild turkeys that flew by my office window? Well, they are clearly not everyone's friend.

I've been enjoying a long week end of beautiful weather by running the fire roads. Though, there's been a glitch. I have to wait till noon to run the trails, because the roads are closed to turkey hunting. Yep, they are hunting my friends. And yes, I checked all three entry ways to the various trails, all of them closed. I've never seen a turkey on my runs, deer yes, but no turkey. I guess they knew...

I was tempted, the first morning I saw the closed signs at the fire road entry, to disregard the ranger's signs and run and actually started up the trail. Then after a couple of minutes of thinking, realizing that you would hunt a wild turkey with guns.... And that I am a visitor to these trails and East Tn. and that I should follow the rules, because that's what responsible people do (did I mention that I am also in the process of being screened for a security clearance) I turned back and ran the neighborhood streets.

Running the streets I noticed the homes on top of the hills were beautiful, big brick homes with a wonderful view of the Smokie mountains. Their manicured lawns were nice, but the view took top seed. You could mountains forever to the east, not quite like Utah or Banff, yet very impressive.

One question though, does it even out, exercise-wise, if you run steady up a hill, a 10 min climb, only to run back down it? Would you burn the same calories as if it was a flat road? You know, it is harder on your body to run down a hill.

Anyway, so here I am, waiting till noon so I can go run the fire roads while keeping my fingers crossed for my little turkey friends.

My new neighbor

From behind his plump bald head makes him look 50ish. Though from over-hearing his cell phone conversations you'd think he was in his 20's. The glimpse of his face nearly confirms the 50 yr old theory. However, his nightly ritual would make you doubt it. Yes, his nightly ritual of sitting outside his apt door chain smoking cigarettes and talking on the cell phone to, what I'm guessing, is his girlfriend, while jamming to rap music. I love my new neighbor.

Wildlife

Nope, not the crazy wildlife you'd see downtown Memphis.....

I have a corner office, on the second floor, in one of the many buildings on site. Out one window I can scan the woods and watch the mega forklifts carrying large containers drive by. Out the second window I can still see those large containers and where they'll land. However, I can also see two full grown wild turkeys fly by. Note, they look much different flying by then they do staged in the produce section of the grocery.

So, my count to date is one plump raccoon, one large white tailed deer (actually the butt end), and two wild turkeys.

I know my count will be growing soon, spring is here....

My first week

I drove in last Sunday evening, found my new home away from home and hit Walmart. I think I can count on one hand how many times I've been shopping there. I really don't even like to say the name, not sure why, but it just kind of icks me. Luckily since then I've found the Super Target.

Other then working, I've been running. The area is beautiful and there are so many different running routes to journey on. Though, on my 4:30am runs I've been sticking to the road. Have you ever ran a road and thought to yourself it's ok you're going up and up and up, because when you turn back you'll feel the ease of running down and down and down. Well, it's not like that here. You run up, but unless I am so zoned out to Lady Gaga singing on "buddy" my ipod, that I'm missing the down, there is just no such luck. However, I did have the luck of meeting up with a raccoon one morning. He was quite plump, yet he sure could boogie. I think I scared him, yet he made my day.

Now let's talk big hills, not Auction Street bridge type hills, but real manly man hills. The roads are nothing compared to the fire roads I've also been running. There's one right across from my "plush" apt (which will earn a blog all to itself I'm sure). This fire road starts out with a 10 min climb. Yes 10 minutes of running up, up, up. At the top there's a park bench and the city water tower. I guess one's a reward and the other is to confirm that you really are on top of the highest point.

I have to confess though, this morning I ran in Melton park, which was very nice and very flat in comparison to the other areas. It was really cool too, in a way it reminded me of Shelby Farms. They were having rowing races on the lake adjoining the park. There were tons of college folks competing; two person up to eight person boats. They were all built like tall runners with swimmer's shoulders. I'll probably go back to that park Sunday before the rain sets in.

Well, thanks for reading my first blog. Yes, my name is Nancy and I am a blogger. :)

I miss my husband and all my friends and having a washing machine in my house. :)

See you all next week end!