Sunday: A Baby Shower

As mentioned yesterday, Tennessee has a serious ice thing happening. Now that I think about it, I should really have been taking it more seriously. We got an email yesterday that church was cancelled and Yogurt World was closed. If Yogurt World is closed, I feel that things must be dire. My husband diagnosed the roads for me yesterday as "not bad".

Now, my husband is both wise and experienced. He has slept in a snow cave that he dug himself and melted ice to make coffee. I swear he could start a fire with two sticks. (In fact, we may have been included on various camping expeditions not on the strength of our friendships or our serious coolness, but the fact that if you are forging into the abyss, taking along my husband means that you will survive and survive well.) Anyway, when my husband (whom I would describe as one part Jeremiah Johnson, one part Jack London with a dash of MacGyver) says that things are "not bad", I should remember the rest of the general populace, myself included.

When asked if we should postpone the baby shower that we were hosting at my home today, I said no, because things were not bad. Oh dear. Five attendees cancelled due to the weather, everyone else arrived without incident except the guest of honor who was stuck in an ice ditch on the side of the road with her husband. Nice. I actually felt like a gigantic ass about the whole thing. I mean it wasn't the worst thing in the world, it just seems RATHER thoughtless to put a pregnant woman in peril over her own baby shower. RATHER. Anyway, my husband took chains down to the ice ditch, the honoree arrived and it really was a nice time.

The food was great, and I had both fruit tea and petit fours, along with multiple dips and cheeses. So, I haven't worked out today, and I have seriously junked out. It's not a bad thing every once in a while. I will pull it together tomorrow.

Saturday: Trainer Ride and Gilad

Tennessee has an intense ice thing happening this weekend. My Saturday long run turned out not to be an option, which is a bummer. Not worth the chance of slipping, though. Also, I rather relish sleeping in. It is very nice. Now, usually, sleeping in heralds a long day where I eat at irregular hours and languish away on the couch telling myself that I will get up and brush my teeth after one more episode of You Are What You Eat. It is a BBC show that I just love as it both fascinates and horrifies me. Also, it shows that there are people in the world who eat doughnuts all the time and get take-out any old time, not just as a special treat after they have run a marathon. It just amazes me. If you haven't watched it, you might want to give it a try.

Anyway, today, I managed my time quite well and made a great breakfast and brushed my teeth at an appropriate hour of the morning. We then decided to take Ivan outside. The snow is weird. It is as if it snowed last night and then iced over the snow, SO when you walk, it is as if you are constantly falling through ice. Ivan could walk on the surface, but my husband and I fell through at every step. It made for a really strenuous walk.

While Ivan napped, I was able to get in a 30 minute trainer ride. I maintained 95 to 100 rpm's except when taking my standing breaks. As per usual, I am not in love with the trainer. However, I am hearing fun things about Spinervals. Spinervals are these great DVD's that coach you through a trainer ride. I clearly need them and plan to borrow a couple. Maybe Spinervals will push me to the next level.

After my cycling, I did a great Gilad workout and really meant to accomplish a bit more around the house as I am throwing a baby shower tomorrow. I sat around like a lump, however. I did manage a great lunch and a great dinner. Rewatching The Darjeeling Limited. It is just great; the music, the luggage, the nonchalance and The Kinks.

Friday: Swim and Snow

I made it out the door to swim class today, all alone. When the weather is bad, childcare does not always show up at the rec center. There was no weather on the way into swim, but it was bitterly cold. I have to say that it is a weird feeling to dive into a pool in a bikini (the size of which would make my parents uncomfortable) when it is sub-zero outside. When it started snowing, it was even weirder to be kicking back and forth in front to the big glass doors with snow falling. There was not a lot of time to relish the beauty as Steven had us WORKING.

As much of the workout as I can remember:

• 3 x 75 @ 1:30
• 3 x 25 @ sprint
• 3 x 200 pull @ 3:15
• 6 x 100 @ 1:40
• 100 easy
• 8 x 25 no free
• 8 x 25 drills
• 8 x 25 kick

Now, I know that I swam at least 3000, so I am forgetting something. Anyway, I made it home safely in spite of the snow and spent the rest of the day at home polishing the silver.

There is something deeply satisfying about polishing silver, and I love it. No run tomorrow as I don't risk a long run in the ice. Hopefully a Gilad workout and the trainer.

Thursday: Run, Bike and Yoga

So, something that I realize is that when you are dedicated to getting your workouts in, you have to be OK with going to work or the grocery store looking like a greasy rat on occasion or often if your name is Betsy Sloan. If you do not get comfortable with this, you have to get comfortable with taking three to five showers a day. I used to be a three-to-five-shower-a-dayer, but now I am comfortable being a greasy rat. I shoot for one shower a day. For instance, today it was too cold to have Ivan in the jog stroller, so even though I got up early, it did not work for me to go and run. So, I packed Ivan up and went on my grocery store run in a tobaggan and jeans and Uggs. At home, we cleaned and made lunch and when Ivan went down for his nap, I started on my workout.

OF COURSE, Ivan had tampered with my watch, so it was off the charger and completely without juice, which meant I could not take it on my run today. Once you have run with a Garmin, it feels pretty lost and sad to run without knowing exactly how fast you are clocking each mile. I almost felt like there was no point in going on my run. I ran three miles, and it was fine.

Back at home, Ivan was up from his nap and screaming the house down, so he played and had some reading time before doing my yoga routine with me. Then he and I read books and watched The Wiggles until his dad got home from Lowe's at which point I hopped on the trainer and rode for 30 minutes. I stayed right at 95 to 100 rpm's except for the two breaks where I stood up and rode, just to break the monotony. I might try to push my riding to 45 minutes this weekend.

All in all it took me 4.5 hours to get in a 1.5 hour workout. I finally got in the shower at 5:15 PM, because my husband wanted to have dinner at Swanky's. NOW, as a general rule, I STRONGLY encourage anyone with a child who is old enough to walk to stay home for dinner. We had a dreadful dinner on Sunday that proved my point, but Swanky's is a handy place to eat. First of all, it is very loud and it has these huge booths the better for trapping Ivan so he can't run about. The loudness means that he can't be heard when he screams and shouts.

AND, this is the best part, they have bathroom stalls that go all the way to the floor. SO, if Ivan comes with me to the bathroom, he can't army crawl under the bathroom door. AND, the door handle is too high for him to reach, so he can't let himself out. It is heaven. If you have ever tried to sit on a toilette while holding a toddler's legs as he tries to crawl under a bathroom stall, you are a lucky one. It isn't fun, and it always makes me realize that there is not one sacred aspect of my life. NOT ONE.

Another unfortunate bathroom occurrence, is when you have a single room bathroom (as is often the case at small restaurants) and the door handle is low. This means that you have to hold your toddler by the legs while you try to use the bathroom, AND if your child gets away from you they can pull the door open and as opposed to being exposed to women in the women's restroom, you may be exposed to a whole restaurant. It is terrible.

So between the kid friendly atmosphere and the ability to use the bathroom in peace, I am a HUGE fan of eating at Swanky's. Also, the food is crazy delicious.

Tomorrow, I must sign up for Todd's next class. I MUST.

Wednesday: Double Swim, Run and Gilad

Ivan and I were up on time and got to swim on time, though it was freezing. The colder it is, the more stuff I am schlepping from car to gym, but it is also terrible to be locked down at the house with a stir-crazy 22 month old. For this reason, the cold is all the more reason to load up and schlep it to the gym. At the gym, Ivan was thrilled to play in the nursery today, so that was great. The pool was warmer today, even better. Steven is now grouping us by ability level and keeping three workouts running at once. I know that I got in 3400 meters today, but I really don't remember much of the workout. What I can remember is this:

• 3 x 50 descend
• 3 x 100 descend
• 3 x 150 descend
• The above cycle was repeated three times
• 4 x 50 shark drill
• 4 x 50 descend
• 4 x 25 (start fast/ end easy)
• 4 x 50 kick
• 100 cool down

At home, I got some lunch for Ivan and me, before putting Ivan down to nap and doing some preliminary straightening for the baby shower on Sunday. After putting Ivan down to nap, I headed off to run and I clocked my fastest run ever in our neighborhood. Am I already reaping the benefits of my speed work? NOW, of course, on the day that I clock my fastest neighborhood run, I cleared the workout before I could transfer the data into my Garmin program. I don't know what happened, but I am pretty bummed about it. I do know that I accomplished a goal that I have been working on since I got the Garmin. My second mile on the neighborhood run is always my slowest because it involves a serious hill. Three of my miles today were 7.5 minute miles, and my second mile, which is always way slow, was an 8.5 minute mile. Huge improvement for me.

At home, I got in a Gilad workout and some dinner before heading off to swim number 2.

Workout as follows:

• 400 warm up
• 8 x 75 (kick/drill/swim)
• 23 x 100 @ 1:50

It was a solid workout. We started the 23 x 100's at a 1:45 pace, but backed down to the 1:50 pace after the first several 100's. We did not get to use our fins on the drill set, so that was hard, but it seemed like my kick was improving OR everyone in my lane is just as poor of a kicker as me.

Stopped at Yogurt World on the way home, watching Bra Boys, a documentary a documentary about Australian surfers.

Recipe of the Week: Lemon Dill Vegetarian Chili with Green Rice

Very exciting, this is my favorite entree to order when I eat at Bronte Bistro at Davis Kidd. I order avocados on top instead of sour cream and cheese. I know that lemon dill in chili might not sound like perfection, BUT it is!!

Now, I asked my server and the cook at Bronte Bistro for this recipe and they gave it to me, but the proportions were for 50 people. I had to divide it down for a 10 serving. Also, I used brown rice, instead of white rice to make the green rice. Brown rice needs to be cooked longer, so if you do the same, make sure that you cook the brown rice a bit longer, add some water, ect.

My final tip is to buy a slim-cado to put on top. A slim-cado is a smooth skinned avocado from Florida that is in-season this time of year. I strongly encourage it.

Vegetable Chili

1/8 cup olive oil

2 zucchini or squash diced

2 yellow onions diced

1/8 cup minced garlic

2 green bell peppers (I used three; red, yellow and green)

2 10 oz cans diced tomatoes

1/8 cup chili powder

1 tsp dried basil

1 tsp pepper

1 tsp ground cumin

1 tsp oregano

1/2 cup dried parseley

10 oz can of kidney beans

10 oz can of garbanzo beans

1/2 cup dried dill

1/2 cup lemon juice

1) Sautee onions, garlic and peppers until onions are translucent

2) Add tomatoes, chili powder, cumin, basil, oregano and pepper. Stir well and cook on medium heat for 30 minutes

3) Drain and add both cans of beans

4) add in dill, lemon juice, and diced zucchini

5) Simmer and stir 10 or so minutes

6) Serve

Green Rice ( I used brown rice, so I needed to cook it more like 45ish minutes not 20)

1/2 cup tightly packed fresh cilantro sprigs (about 1/2 oz.)
1 cup tightly packed fresh stemmed spinach leaves (about 1-1/2 oz.)
1-1/4 cups homemade or low-salt chicken broth
1-1/4 cups milk
1 tsp. kosher salt
1 Tbs. olive oil
3 Tbs. unsalted butter
1-1/2 cups long-grain rice
1/4 cup finely minced onion
1 clove garlic, minced

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Put the cilantro, spinach, and broth in a blender and blend until the vegetables are puréed. Add the milk and salt and blend a bit more until well combined.

In a medium (3-qt.) heavy-based saucepan (with a good lid) over medium heat, heat the olive oil and butter. When the butter is melted, add the rice and sauté, stirring about every 30 seconds, until it just begins to brown, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the onion and garlic and cook 1 minute, stirring constantly. Add the contents of the blender, stir well, turn the heat to high, and bring to a boil. Cover the pan, turn the heat to very low, and cook for 20 minutes. Stir the rice carefully to avoid crushing it, cover, and cook another 5 minutes.

Take the pan off the heat and let the rice steam in the covered pot for 10 minutes. Serve hot.

Tuesday: First Speed Work Practice and Yoga

So today, my alarm went off three times before I made it out of bed for my first speed session. Three times. Three times. I have to say that numbered amongst my most distasteful habitual experiences is waking up at the crack of dawn in freezing temperatures to run outside. It is most unpleasant.

I did get to the first practice with only minimal lateness. I ate a cliff bar in the car and had some tea and water. I met the Speed Session group at the CPA (Christ Presbyterian Academy) track at 6:00 AM to be coached by Mark Miller (who teaches math and coaches track and cross country at CPA) and assistant coach Drew. Fleet Feet is sponsoring the sessions. (This is the same place that I bought my Handful sports bra.) Speed work workout as follows:

• one mile warm up
• 20 yards high steps
• 20 yards skipping
• 20 yards lunging
• 20 yards high step
• 20 yards but kick
• two mile time trial
• 400 yard warm down

This was my first speed work session since 1997, and it went a lot better than I thought. I did the two mile time trial in about 13:05-ish. I say -ish, because in classic Betsy style, I pushed the wrong button on my Garmin and ran several yards without realizing that I was not timing myself. The Garmin is fabulous however in that it estimated these yards and clocked me in at 13:03. I mean honestly, pre-Garmin, I was just bumbling around. The Garmin forces you to bring your A-game, because the Garmin knows when your are slacking and the Garmin will tell.

Anyway, after the time trial, we divided up numbers into Interval Pace, Fast Pace and Tempo Pace based on our two-mile time. Its very interesting, and I will not break down the numbers for you but here are the times I need to hold for the rest of my speed sessions:

• Fast Pace - 6:07 per mile/ 1:32 per 400 yards
• Interval Pace - 6:23 per mile/ 1:36 per 400 yards
• Tempo Pace - 7:07 per mile/ 1:47 per 400 yards

Its all very fancy and scientific, right? Next week is 4 x 1 mile at Tempo pace with a minute rest in between. This will be harder, maybe.

At home, I had a cup of coffee and some oatmeal before heading out to Bible study. We had a great lesson, and Ivan and I headed home for lunch. While Ivan took his nap, I did yoga. When Ivan woke up, he played while I completed a myriad of household chores. Had some dinner and settled in to finish watching Emma on Masterpiece Theatre. New Year's resolutions are all on track, and I might get to do double swim tomorrow!!!! Definitely hitting Yogurt World!!!

Pics of me mastering Crane Balance

Monday: Swim and Gilad and more Pool Temperature Drama

Today, Ivan and I were up early, because for some untoward reason he is waking earlier than any of us would wish for, even at the height of my New Year's resolutioning. So, there was some Wiggle watching before heading off to swim.

At swim, there was much talk of the pool temperature. It was rumored that the heat was broken; it was murmured that the there was a swim meet so it was necessary to lower the temperature; the water aerobics women were concerned that the lower temperature was permanent. It was quite cold and I never warmed up and I procrastinated getting in the water and so on. I did finally dive in, and it felt like I was breaking ice. I do think the water was colder than yesterday, so maybe 79 as opposed to 80 degrees. There was again much discussion about it. Workout as follows as much as I can remember:

• 200 warmup
• 8 x 75 Indiana IM (which means that we rotate through the IM strokes)
• 8 x 25 sprint
• 200 easy
• 4 x 100 technique work
• 3 x 200 pull with paddles
• 300 kick
• 200 cool down

Now, I swam 3100 meters, so I am clearly forgetting something, but it is hard to remember with out having it written down. Steven got onto me about losing my form when I try to swim fast, so I need to watch for that. Also, he pointed out that when I swim I am pulling my arms too close into my body and losing some of the power of my pull. SO, I am overcompensating be pretending that I am laying on a surfboard paddling. My stroke needs to be this wide.

After practice, I took a hot, hot shower, and packed up the car for home. At home, I made some soup and got in a Gilad workout before heading into work.

At home, I am eating soup and watching the Masterpiece Classic Emma. SO GOOD!!!

Starting speed work training tomorrow in the bitter cold. BITTER!!!!

Sunday: Swim and a Most Unfortunate Dinner

I have to say that today was just off on several levels. For one thing, Ivan woke up before 6:00 AM. Luckily, I had gotten into bed quite early. It is my opinion as an often early riser, however, that there is no bedtime that is early enough to get up before 6:00 AM. I was fast asleep at 9:00 PM-ish, but when Ivan woke up it seemed pretty awful. For this reason, I staggered around groggily, accomplishing nothing while drinking tea and rubbing my eyes.

Also, I thought several Sabbath inappropriate murderous things about The Wiggles. The Wiggles are the only television show that Ivan will watch for a few minutes in the morning, yet I am beginning to view The Wiggles with greater and greater antipathy. For this reason, I have a parenting conundrum, which I realize is duller than dull. Do I halt The Wiggles all together, because I genuinely dislike all of them and their limited personalities and their inordinate cheeriness (especially the vile Captain FeatherSword)? OR, Do I continue with The Wiggles because they buy me approximately 20 minutes of solid free time in the morning? I can tell you right now that I am going with the latter, but I OFTEN THINK of the former.

After I was sufficiently woken up, Ivan and I headed out to church. Today, the Sunday school lesson was the first of four Sunday presentations of our minister's sabbatical in the Holy Land, Romania and Scotland. It was a very interesting Sunday school and we headed home after Church.

After lunch, I headed into swim and let me just tell you that there was some serious pool temperature drama. I am most comfortable when the lap pool is about 83 degrees. Usually the lap pool is 82 degrees, any colder that that and, I swear, it feels like the Pacific Ocean with a few ice cubes thrown in. When I arrived at the pool, everyone was whispering amongst themselves that the pool was 80 degrees. It took me a while to nerve up and dive in, and I never got warm.

Every time we stopped to start a new set, all eight people in my lane would quibble back and forth about the exact temperature of the water. Nick felt like it could be 79 degrees; Suzanne felt like it was just barely 80; Gretchen told us the water was NOT 79. I asked if anyone was getting warm; David said he was not getting warm; and on, and on, and on. Anyway, swim workout as follows:

• 400 warm up
• 4 x 150 kick/ drill/ swim (with fins)
• 6 x 50 swim
• 10 x 100 swim
• 600 pull with paddles (alternating freestyle, breast, and backstroke)

This was just 2900, but it was a hard workout (in terms of our intervals which I cannot remember) and pool temperature.

After swim, my husband and I made the seriously ridiculous decision to take Ivan with us out to dinner with my running group. It took my own personal folly to a new level as Ivan alternated between tantrum and tears for two solid hours. I ate some pizza, but have no memory of it. My running group was patient, but I was indeed a party foul.

Pic of Ivan and the vile Captain FeatherSword

Saturday: Long Run

Out of bed at 5:30 AM this morning. Had a Grab the Gold bar and a cup of tea before meeting my running group at 6:00 AM for a quick three mile pre-run which preceded our park run. After meeting back at 6:30 AM, we started up into the park for the 11.2 mile loop. I was reasonably proud of my splits, but I had a 9:49 mile in there. There were some serious hills, but it seems that there is no excuse for that. I wasn't even pushing the jog stroller, for the love of Mike.

Overall, a good run, and I made it home in time to make some breakfast and avoid the crazy calorie trap that often happens after a long run. I had eggs and turkey sausage and then many healthy snacks. Some clementines, some hummus, a whole wheat pita.

Somehow, I managed to avoid the siren call of Yogurt World today, though I miss it and cannot deny that it might happen tomorrow. Meant to do yoga; did not. This means that I will surely be quite sore tomorrow.

Friday: Swim, Gilad and Can One Go Bankrupt At Yogurt World?

This morning, I was up on time, and eating steel cut oats with protein powder, drinking tea and taking my vitamins. It was nice. Ivan and I were ready on time to leave for swim class, but were FOILED, by a car seat mishap. My husband had taken the car seat out of my car last night and did not put it back in my car. It was on the opposite side of the dining room, and I didn't see it. So, I marched Ivan out to load up in the car IN THE RAIN, and no car seat. Back inside and both Ivan and I were running in different directions. I found the car seat, but Ivan found a long lost toy under the china cupboard, so I got the car seat in the car, chased Ivan down, he ran with his toy and chaos and much scrambling ensued before we both were strapped into our respective seats panting. Ivan was giggling, and I was wishing I had a nail to bite in two.

Anyway, this only caused us to be 10 minutes late to swim class. Not so bad. At swim, it was another great workout with Steven (the fabulous). He picked at my stroke again, reminding me to keep my fingers closed and to overcompensate for my tendency to put my thumbs in first by putting my pinkys in first. THEN, he pointed out that I was coming out of my flip turns like Superman and I needed to come out like I was doing the "A" part of the "YMCA" dance. This would allow for a longer and more forceful glide off the wall. Steven is right about everything. It is just amazing that I had no idea that I had fallen into all this swim ridiculousness. I will try to recount our workout from memory. Steven does not hand out our workouts, so here goes:

• 6 x 100 swim 100/ kick 100
• 8 x 50 swim 25/ drill 25
• 3 x 100 @ 1:25
• 3 x 100 @ 1:35
• 3 x 100 @ 1:45
• 200 easy
• 8 x 50 swim 25/ drill 25
• 3 x 200 swim
• 300 cool down

So this was 3400 meters. Now, the workout was not that hard, but Jonathan was there today, and he suggested that we go out on the first 100 (of the 9 x 100's) as fast as we could. To be honest, I kind of thought I could probably beat him (another case of my really obnoxious and delusional athletic arrogance). So we headed off on the first 100 and I swam it as fast as possible, so fast I was having to take extra breaths. I came in at 1:17, and Jonathan came in at 1:14. He is decidedly faster. Needless to say, I could not hold this interval for more than one, but I am proud to say that I held all the rest of the assigned intervals.

Interesting, there is a German Au Pair in our class right now, and she held 1:15s for nine 100s.

After swim, Ivan and I loaded up to go home, and I had the rest of my sweet potato/ spinach soup for lunch. Ivan took a nap, and I got in a Gilad workout. After Ivan woke up, I took him to the Little Cottage (75% off sale today) , this children's store in Franklin and bought him three outfits involving Peter Pan collars and smocking. This, friends, is because I plan to dress my son like a girl in the style of the Victorians and the French until he is seven years old or until he can physically stop me.

At home, I got ready and headed out to dinner with Linda and Genie (THE GREATS). Had a lovely tuna ahi salad at The Crow's Nest, which has such a good menu for somewhere that I consider to be a bar.

On the way home, I went to Yogurt World. Two nights in a row. I have cut out my Starbucks runs. I am making lattes at home. I have cut back my grocery expenditures, not for a great vacation, not for a luxury handbag splurge, not for a bigger house, not for a faster bike. I have done it to justify my Yogurt Worldaholism. Sugar free vanilla and chocolate swirl with Andes Mints and sprinkles. Heaven. I felt all the tension of this morning car seat scramble drain out of me at the first bite. Can one go bankrupt at Yogurt World? Nobody goes bankrupt at Yogurt World, right?

Thursday: Run, Bike, Yoga

So, last night turned into a rather hard night, as Ivan woke up in fractious spirits from his initial bedtime. I got him up to rock him and give him some Ovaltine, and somehow, he knocked an entire glass of tea onto a stack of books, the floor, the couch and EVERYTHING. So I mopped and wiped and blew dry while Ivan had a peaceful Ovaltine bottle while watching The Wiggles.

This situation under control, Ivan and I went back to bed.

This morning, Ivan was up surprisingly early for such a bad night, which meant that I couldn't get to the gym to run on the treadmill. Ivan and I went out with the jog stroller in the driving rain. Now Ivan's jog stroller (the chariot) is hardcore. I ran three miles, and he was snug and dry the whole time. It rained hard throughout the run, and I decided that I am lacking in good rain gear for running. The light-weight Northface jacket I was wearing, was water-resistant but too loose, so it moved around the whole time.

At home, I had my Superfoods breakfast smoothie, before loading Ivan up to practice his swim moves. We headed to the indoor pool, where he was relatively well-behaved. My child seems not to understand the concept of walking, and he did hop into the deep end with the carefree attitude of a child jumping into a puddle. Luckily, you can shove Ivan down to the bottom of the pool, and he comes floating up like he was born to back float.

Now, after Ivan's lesson ended, I changed him out of his swimmie diaper and put on his dry land diaper and pants and a shirt. It was at this point that he wrenched himself away from me and hurled himself into the pool clothes and all. So, I stomped over feeling like Grendel's mother, and fished him out of the pool. He had to ride home in his diaper.

At home, I made myself a latte and worked through a yoga session before hopping on the trainer for a 25 minute ride. My cadence averaged 90, whereas last trainer ride, my cadence averaged 92. It felt harder today as well. Maybe the new wore off.

My mom came to lunch, and then I headed in to work. At home, I made sweet potato soup for dinner and headed to Yogurt World for dessert!!!

Some pics from the pool today. Doesn't Ivan look sort of like a weathered dock worker? He has a lollipop in his mouth that looks like a cigarette.

Wednesday: Single Swim, Run,and Gilad

Today, I woke up to a steaming crock pot full of steel cut oats. They were just so delicious with soy milk (I am a devotee of vanilla Silk) and a scoop of my protein powder. Ivan and I headed out to swim AND guess what!!! We have a new morning swim coach, Steven, who swam in the Olympic trials in 2008. Amazing right. He pointed out immediately that I was putting my hands in the water at an angle, thumbs first. Then, I was pulling through my stroke with open fingers. With swimming, these crazy kinks pop up in your stroke. You have to be vigilant.

Now, the downside of Steven's first day was that he did not give us a workout printout. He wrote part of the workout on the board, and we went from there. So, I will have to give it to you from memory, and we set out own intervals as we went. Workout as follows:

• 400 swim
• 4 x 50 drill (but I worked on my new swim hand positioning)
• 4 x 50 kick
• 200 pull
• 3 x 200 pull
• 5 x 100 @ 1:50
• 4 x 50 drill (but I worked on my new swim hand positioning)
• 4 x 50 kick
• 200 cool down (we kicked)

So this was 3200, but I did kind of miss my workout printout with intervals. However, I will trade it for what I learned about my swim stroke. I am training with a race now, so I am upping my game.

At home, I made some salmon salad, which was great and got ready for my run. I met my friend Sara to run 11 miles in the park, but it was raining a really icy rain, getting wetter all the time, so cropped the run down to 7.5. Sara was still training for Mountain Mist so we walked a few hills.

I headed into work and did a round of Gilad at home.

Training with Races!!!

You know, I will be honest, I haven't really planned for any races since Ivan was born. I sort of planned for the Huntsville Rocket City marathon a year ago. Sort of. When I say sort of, I mean that I signed up two weeks before as opposed to two days before. When I say sort of, I had done one long run of 16 miles before the Huntsville Rocket City Marathon. My son was 9 months old and I had to high-tail from the the finish line to breast-feed. There is no time like the present to step up my game.

My friend Missy, has a great blog and she posted her races for the season. Imagine that!!! She has already thought about them and signed up early, which saves you money and ensures your place in the race. Then, you can plan your training accordingly. What a concept!!!

Anyway, am now signed up for THREE races. I am not just randomly training. I will do things like taper and fuel. I will have an outfit ready and not just grab a random assortment of clothing that I hope won't chaff too badly. I will make arrangements for places to stay and not drive over the morning of because all the hotels are full. It is going to be a great season.

OK, so without further ado, my race schedule is as follows:

1. I will run the Tom King Half Marathon
2. I will run the Boston Marathon
3. I will race the Rev 3 triathlon

I will probably also register for the Mach 10 and the Music City Triathlon. I will wait on these until next month. I am a paragon of planning!!!

Recipe of the Week: Black Eyed Pea Soup

Up until I started making this soup, black-eyed peas topped my list of foods to avoid, along with pork rinds and lobster. Shell fish are just not my thing.

Anyway, I started making this super delicious treat sometime last year, and we Sloans eat it at least once a month. The soup is served atop mashed potatoes or brown rice, your choice!!

Recipe as follows:

• 2 packages frozen black eyed peas
• 1 chopped onion
• 1 cup fresh parsley or half cup dried
• 1 green pepper chopped
• 1 tablespoon garlic salt
• 1 teaspoon red pepper
• 3 dashes hot sauce
• 1 tablespoon worcestershire sauce
• 18 ounce can tomato sauce
• 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/4 teaspoon thyme
• Turkey Sausage (the big long ones that look like two monster hot dogs; butterball makes a great one)

1. cook peas according to package instructions for 30 minutes
2. Add tomato sauce, chopped onion, green pepper, garlic salt, red pepper, hot sauce and worcestershire sauce and oregano. Add turkey sausage.
3. Let simmer for 45 minutes

Serve hot over mashed potatoes or brown rice.

Tuesday: Early Treadmill, Yoga and a Trainer Ride

So this morning, my deepest goals were accomplished. I was out of the house by 6:15 AM and on a treadmill by 6:20 AM. On the treadmill, I ran three miles in 22 minutes with my heart rate in zone 4 and sometimes zone 5 throughout the run.

I am not including my Garmin splits as the Garmin does not really pick up treadmill miles. I just used it to watch my heart rate. My Garmin map, when I swim or run inside in a lap pool or on a treadmill, just spikes all over the place. It will show me as having swum down the interstate or running in a jerky pattern as the crow flies to major destinations like downtown Nashville. It always cracks me up.

I was home and out of the shower by 7:15ish AM and made a great breakfast and ate at my leisure before heading to Bible study. I even emptied the dishwasher. Yes, I did!!!

After arriving back at home, I got in a pretty peaceful yoga session with some great stretching.

NOW, my husband finally got my cadence sensor working last night. There are many times that I have ridden my trainer at home. Todd (bike class teacher) strongly encourages getting on the trainer two or three times a week. This makes a lot of sense, as I swim about five times a week and run about five times a week, and bike about never. Biking happens when I go to Todd's class. When I bike at home, it is mainly just so that I will be able to tell Todd honestly that I have been on my bike in between classes. If I am on the bike, it's fine right?

Until now, I have not had access to a cadence sensor outside of Todd's class. I figured that at home, I was riding around 85 rpms throughout my ride. Ooooh friends, I totally figured wrong. I will just bet that I was riding around 30 rpms at home, just tooling along in front of the television. So, during Todd's classes, I have been riding at at least 100 rpms throughout and then riding about 30 rpms at home. It appears that I was inadvertently training myself to go ride slow and then struggling through Todd's classes.

Tonight I rode with the cadence sensor, and it was hardcore. I had to ask my husband for water and a sweat rag; my pleas for a fan were ignored. I was determined to keep my cadence at 100 rpms for 30 minutes. SUCCESS, but I am worn out. Now, I did get my Garmin stuck on laps and would like to keep it on one long ride, so I will have to work with that. "Working with that", however, seems to be the way of the Garmin. Looking at my heart rate, I made need to do the VO2Max thing to really be sure about my zones. One way or the other, however, my bike skills are on the UP!!

Monday: Run, Gilad, Yoga and My Cadence Sensor Will Not Work

Today, Ivan and I hopped out of bed at a reasonable time - 7:30ish AM, which I realize is not in the parameters of my New Year's resolutions, but it is a holiday. Also, I slept rather poorly last night and ended up spending too much time with Andrew Jackson. Tomorrow, my goal is to be up within the parameters of my New Year's resolutions and get to the gym for a speedy treadmill run. I'm pretty psyched about it.

Today, Ivan and I had breakfast while we watched the wiggles, then I got in a Gilad workout, and Ivan and I loaded up the jog stroller for my first jog stroller run with the Garmin. Now, I have always thought that the jog stroller slowed me down maybe 30 seconds a mile; try at least two minutes slower a mile. TWO MINUTES SLOWER. For the love of Mike. I am like a snail with that jog stroller. I always assumed I would be one of those women who won races while pushing a jog stroller. Clearly, that is not me. Athletic arrogance strikes again!!!! It took me 40 minutes and twenty-six seconds to run four miles. That is over ten minute miles. Oh my goodness.

I clearly have a lot of work to do. Maybe, I was a little slower because of my long run on Saturday. Who knows, but this is an area to work on for sure.

Back at home, I had a reasonable yoga practice while Ivan ran about and eventually had a blissful time playing with kitchen implements. Being back into the yoga is helping me a lot, and I must stick with it. So a great day!!

Great eating for me today as well. Salmon, Cabbage and Broccoli for lunch. Several servings of soy, blueberries, yogurt, flax sweet potatoes and whole grains. Lot of green and white teas!!! Thrilling!!

My husband just got my cadence sensor working!!! I am about to multi-sport out the wazoo.

Pic is of my running group on New Year's day. Fun times. I am in the front left with a lavender hat and hunter green jacket.

Sunday: Bike, Swim, Yoga, and Gilad

So, the litany of exercise in today's title sounds a lot more impressive than it is. I woke up sore from my long run and still hungry. How can I POSSIBLY still be hungry after my smorgasbord yesterday? It is truly baffling to me. Anyway, I had some oatmeal and tea and such with Ivan, before I got right into some ab work with Gilad and then did some Namaste yoga. Really, I should have done the yoga yesterday. I would have been less sore today, and I felt great when I finished.

After my unusually productive morning, Ivan and I headed off to church and got home in time for lunch and a nap. While Ivan napped, I started working with the cadence adaptor that goes with my Garmin. As are all things Garmin, this will require some research. I rode for about 20 minutes and my Garmin watch never picked up the cadence sensor, though the red and green lights were flashing and all indications were that it should work. Uuuggg!!! Why must there be so much work required??

I will be spending the rest of the evening perusing the Garmin manual, which seems to happen at least two nights a week. I am sure that it will all come to rights within the week. My 20 minute bike ride hardly merits mentioning, but I was glad that I began work on the Garmin situation. There was no choice but to hop off rather quickly and head out to swim.

Swim was a great workout:

• 600 warm up
• 40 x 50 swim (12 swim/ 4 butterfly kick on back/ 12 swim/ 12 swim)
• 400 IM cool down

Now, today we were in 50 meter lanes, which means that IM required a 50 meter butterfly. Fifty meter butterfly is hard times. By the time I hit the second row of flags, I was absolutely heaving. I really feel quite determined about the butterfly. There is no doubt that I will succeed in mastering it.

Martin Luther King Day tomorrow. No swim and No work. Ivan and I will have the whole day!!!!

Pic of me on the trainer!!!

Saturday: Long Run and I Can't Stop Eating

This morning, our running group started at 6:30 AM as opposed to 6:00 AM. I really like a 6:30 start, as it is early enough to get in my mileage, but late enough that I can get up at 6ish and still arrive on time. I was early today. I had oatmeal on the way into run, with a scoop of protein powder, AND 1/4 of a Reese's whipped peanut butter candy bar on top. I am having a candy thing right now. I also had a cup of green tea and a copious amount of water.

I ended up running 21.2 miles today, though my splits were all over the place really. My first mile was 9 minutes and then I dropped to a 7:30 and just sort of ran the gamut between those times. My next to last mile was actually 9:13, but I say anything that happens after 20 miles when you aren't racing is absolutely OK. The weather was very reasonable especially after last week's misery, but I left my gloves in the bathroom at our first stop. It was too cold to be without gloves, so I had to wrap my ear warmer around one fist and pull my sleeve down over the other. This was not bad, BUT Riney, THE GREAT, had an extra pair of gloves for me to borrow. I am sure my other gloves are gone forever

NOW, something that I HATE about doing a long run like this is the aftermath of my unquenchable hunger. As much planning as I put in to getting out to run, I need to plan the same amount about my eating. I did not plan anything today beyond breakfast, and I walked into the house like a ravenous lion. I knew I was not off to a good start when I realized that I had forgotten to buy more shot blocks to fuel my my run. A zip lock baggie of Jelly Bellys that my mom had given to Ivan were my only sustenance. No doubt, I looked rather silly pulling out my zip lock bag and munching Jelly Bellys until someone in my running group charitably donated a Gu, which saved the day.

While we were running back to our cars in the home stretch, I smelled bacon and started to feel so very hungry. When we got to our cars, I mowed through the rest of my Jelly Beans. Then at home, I made myself some eggs and Turkey sausage (Good Right?). While I waited for these to cook, I ate the rest of the Jelly Beans. Then, I ate half a box of the Christmas cookies that my husband's grandmother brought us for Christmas. They were shortbread spice cookies, and I have to stop writing about them because the mere thought is making me want the other half. I do not want one or two cookies, I want them all.

After my eggs and turkey sausage, I was still very hungry, so I warmed up a piece of left over sweet potato pizza and ate a cheddar apple muffin while I was waiting for it to warm. I ate the piece of pizza, and this satisfied me until after my nap.

For lunch, I made a turkey wrap with cabbage slaw and avocados. It was very good, but not filling enough. I then ate two oranges and popped some popcorn. For dinner I had a salad and a small portion of chicken enchiladas, but I would really like to eat more. I would really like to go to Yogurt World. It is 9:12 PM and I have eaten through everything in our house that I can get my hands on and I still want to go to Yogurt World. If not for the massive jelly bean and cookie consumption, I would not feel so terrible about today's eating.

I burned upwards of 1300 calories today, and I am sure that I replaced that with cookies and jelly beans. From now on, after my long run, I am going to plan my meals and pick up breakfast directly after my run so that I can avoid this calorie laden starvation trap. NOTE TO SELF!!!!!

Friday: 3600 Yard Swim and Visiting

Confession: Maybe I am not meant to wake up on time. Maybe when Ben Franklin encouraged "Early to bed/ Early to rise", he did not mean me. Maybe I can get the worm as I am running about the house frantically trying to get somewhere on time. Am I a grasshopper?

Anyway, I overslept and honestly vaulted out of the bed like "Four Weddings and a Funeral". (Ivan also is oversleeping, so maybe my 22 month old child would like to shoulder a portion of the blame for my oversleeping. I feel that if he would wake at the crack of dawn like many toddlers, it would start our day off better. He has been sleeping later, which means I need to move his bedtime. I will not bore you with bedtime maneuverings. I apologize)

For whatever reason, we made it to swim on time and I completed the entire workout:

• 500 swim/ 3 x 100 kick / 200 IM/ 200 swim
• 12 x 200 @ 3:40 1-4 free/ 5-8 IM/ 9-12 choice

This was 3600 meters. This was not an uncommonly long workout, but the IM actually makes everything take longer as my butterfly and breaststroke are oh-so-slow. I did not make the interval on the IMs.

It was a great workout, and I had a new razor for the shower. Very exciting.

After swim, Ivan and I loaded up and headed in to Green Hills to have lunch with my dad at McDonald's play place. It was a common disaster. Ivan inexplicably wet through a freshly changed diaper, and I of course forgot to have a change of clothes. So, he played in the play place, completely unabashed, with wet all around his middle.

Oh, yes, friends, that's how I roll. I take my urine wet child to play at a McDonald's play place, and that is why you should never go. If I, Betsy Sloan (responsible mother who believes in bedtimes, regular servings of milk and love, sweet love), take my child, who is wet with urine, to play at a McDonald's play place, I CAN GUARANTEE YOU much worse goes down in that hotbed of germs and misery.

At this particular hotbed of germs and misery, they were giving away a terrible terrible Alvin and the Chipmunks doll. It was Theodore, and when you pressed his HAIR, he screeched "My name is Theodore" before laughing maniacally. Every child in the play place had one, and it resounded over and over in the play place. Ivan kept setting his doll down, and then thinking that the other children had taken his doll and chasing other children down to steal their doll, causing mass wails to resound from the tallest plastic slide. My dad and I staggered out like victims who had been trapped in a very loud, germy cave. I don't know that I can do it again. I'm scarred, and I didn't even tell you about the food. It is not good for you at all.

After this Ivan and I loaded up and went to visit his babysitter Kaitlen in her new home. Her home was lovely, and we had a great time. After this, we had a visit with my parents before heading home. I am watching 30 Rock for the second time. It made me laugh out loud. Out Loud.

Running long tomorrow.

Pic is of Ivan and Rye, together at last!!!

Thursday: Yoga and Run

Confession: My New Year's resolution to wake up at 6:00 or 6:30 AM each morning, is not going very well. It just isn't. I am getting through my one-year Bible right on schedule. I am getting into bed usually on time, BUT getting up on time is not going well. So frustrating. Must continue to persevere.

Anyway, today I got in a yoga session that was interrupted two or twenty times by Ivan trying to drag the dining room chairs into the kitchen so that he could get to his new obsession, the garlic press. Ooooh, the garlic press. The garlic press and the kitchen tongs are about all Ivan can think about right now. His determination is limitless, it has no expiration and he will not quit.

When everything gets quiet, I know that Ivan has somehow vaulted himself to the drawer where he can get the garlic press, and he is dipping it in the cat's bowl. OR, he has taken the tongs and is tweaking the cat.

Anyway, the yoga practice was not perfect, but I accomplished some great stretching. After some lunch, Ivan went down for a nap and I left for a run. I got in a four mile run in our neighborhood. My splits were faster today, and I guess that is what I am really working on for now. Faster and more even splits even on this hilly route.

Heading to bed and determined to get up early!!!

Oooh, and my Handful Sports Bra was great!! So supportive. So great looking.

Oh Friends, Are You Neglecting Documentaries?

Now, I will admit to being pretty nerdy. A crossword puzzle and a biography of an American President are a perfect evening for me, it stands to reason that I would have a thing for documentaries. I am going to put a list of Betsy Sloan's documentary must sees on the blog. I would strongly encourage adding them to your Netflix cue. If you do not Netflix, you need to get started!!!

1. Guerrilla: The Taking of Patty Hearst - Oh, this is my ALL TIME FAVORITE. I have seen it three times. The soundtrack is stellar. The LAPD rocks the house. "Death to the fascist insect that preys on the mind of the people"
2. Murderball - about the American wheelchair rugby team, and their competition at the para-Olympics. I shed tears and laughed out loud.
3. Grey Gardens - About Jackie O.'s most likely schizophrenic, but at least delusional, cousins who lived in their home in the Hamptons with no money, until their home was condemned. Insanity. HBO also made a movie of the same name with Drew Barrymore, and it was interesting as well.
4. Rising Son: The Legend of Skateboarder Christian Hosoi - Great film about this skateboarder who had too much too soon and lost his opportunities, before getting his life on track. It was inspirational.
5. Dogtown and Z. Boys - Also about skateboarding. Narrated by Sean Penn. GREAT. Follows 6 or 7 kids who could skate incredibly well in the 70's. It takes you to the beginning and end of where their lives were headed. So interesting.
6. King of Kong - Until you have see a grown man cry over Donkey Kong, you just haven't seen a documentary.
7. Crazy Love - no matter what relationship you are in or not in, this movie will make you feel better about it. NO MATTER WHAT. That is all I am saying. Rent it!!!!
8. Lagerfeld Confidential - about the man behind the Chanel brand. OH THIS WAS GREAT. I was amazed at his weight loss, his music, his shopping, his designs. ALL OF IT. Also, Karl Lagerfeld is surprisingly warm and fun. I thought he would be queenish and nasty.
9. Valentino: The Last Emperor- Oh, friends. I am rather frightened of Valentino. He is neither warm or fun. My favorite part in the film is when Valentino's long time boyfriend tries to address the issue of Valentino being too tan. Valentino has a fit, but Giancarlo is right. Valentino looks like a crayon. Valentino also says that ankles in an evening dress are disgusting, so just remember.
10. Paper Heart - oddly poignant and heartfelt idea about the existence of love. Rather awkward, but sweet at times.

OK, I think this is it. I might add more, but this is my top ten.

Wednesday: Single Swim, Run, Gilad and Yogurt World

This morning, I was approximately 15 minutes late to morning swim. This 15 minute lateness cost me 700 yards in the pool. This means I got in 3300 yards (just over 2 miles), when I could have gotten in 4000 yards (just over 2.5 miles). I mean who knows how much yardage I am missing in lateness over the course of the year. This seems to be a regular occurrence with me, and I am beginning to place more importance on getting to swim on time than I am on getting up on time. The two do go hand in hand, however, so maybe I should just add "get to swim on time" to my list of three resolutions. Surely, I can do that. Anyway, workout as follows:

• 3 x 200 pull @ 3:10
• 3 x 200 IM (I do not time myself on IM)
• 9 x 100 free descend 1-3/ 4-6/ 7-9 @ 1:45
• 800 kick (because Jaime and I were talking books and education and such)
• 300 cool down

It was a great swim. The water was pretty warm and Ivan and I headed home. At home, we had lunch and cleaned up the house. My sister came by for one last visit with the baby before she headed to Birmingham. I made a soy latte with the cappuccino machine, and my sister and I had a great visit.

After Caroline got on the road, I went to meet my friend Sara for a long run in the park. My husband was at home, so he was willing to watch Ivan while I went for a long run. Sara is moving to Korea in a couple of weeks, so we are going to get in park runs today and next Wednesday. We had a great run on the 11.2. Sara is training for Mountain Mist, so we walked two hills in keeping with her training strategy. As a pretty dedicated road runner, walking made me really nervous. It was a pain to my ego and a blow to my pride. When we saw other people while walking, I wanted to duck in a bush or limp in an attempt to appear injured in some way. I endured this mental hardship by mentally pep-talking to myself that walking was no reflection of my true running abilities. This makes me a superfreak. I can't even help it.

Mountain Mist is a 50K trail run or 30 miles, and walking some of the steeper hills helps to have more momentum and better recovery for the flats. Honestly, I think that I would never in my right mind do a trail run that was a longer than a marathon, but I am so proud of Sara and will miss her terribly when she moves.

So normally on Wednesday I do double swim. Ivan goes with me in the morning, and then he and my husband hang out while I head out to evening swim. I usually get in around five swim miles on Wednesday, and I get pretty excited about it. I would kind of like a gold star or some sort of recognition, a billboard, a shout out on the local news. Just whatever.

I was hoping that my husband would encourage me to go to swim again when I got in from my run. This, however, was not the case. He seemed to think that two significant workouts was enough for today, and while I understand, I still wanted to go to swim. I had new goggles. NEW GOGGLES. Anyway, no dice on that front. I stayed at home, made spaghetti and got in a Gilad workout. I used my bland meatloaf from last night in the spaghetti, which felt rather depressing, but not wasteful.

After putting Ivan down to bed, I hopped into the car to head to Yogurt World. I actually had two different sugar free flavors (chocolate/vanilla), and they were crazy delicious. Oh, Yogurt World, you have made my late night tenure oh so pleasant.

I have already read my one year Bible. The new season of Project Runway Starts tonight!!!! I can't even tell you how much I've missed Tim Gunn.

Tuesday: Run, Yoga, Goggles, and a HANDFUL

So this morning, Ivan and I headed out to Bible study and made it home for Ivan to have a nap. During Ivan's nap, I was able to get out for a quick four-mile run and some yoga. My Namaste Yoga session was a distance runner session, with a lot of calf stretches. Exactly what I needed!!! As predicted, I was very sore from doing lunges while holding Ivan yesterday.

After my yoga, I put together a meatloaf (that actually turned out rather badly; so bland/ so blah. What went wrong?) and got ready to go into work. Now, on the way into work today, I stopped at Fleet Feet to get my new goggles. I always have a lovely time at Fleet Feet. Now, I had to get new goggles today, as my other aquaspheres snapped in half at the pool on Sunday. It was a serious bummer.

I walked into Fleet Feet with the intention of only getting my goggles, but then I thought that I would just take a look at sports bras. I always seem to need new ones, and it is always a rather dull affair. They all just look like cropped tank tops and as soon as I put one on I am immediately infected with 12-year-old boy syndrome. It is never exciting.

Today, however, I tried on the Handful. I cannot even tell you how exciting it was. It looked just great and took me from 12-year-old boy to pubescent girl in a moment. It was incredibly supportive, and I bought one in hot pink. It is so great!!! I cannot even tell you what sort of fashion maven I will be in my Handful sports bra and my Lululemon running skirt. Also, the handful comes with its own lingerie bag, IN PINK!!!

I'm pretty thrilled about it and am planning on another next month!!!

Just finished watching part 1 of Return to Cranford. I am in a dither about part 2. What will happen with the railroad?????!!!! I can't wait.

Now watching Young at Heart and getting ready for bed.

Pic is of me in my new goggles and Ivan in my old emergency goggles.