Training Week

I raced last Sunday at Miniman- 2.4 mile run, 12 mile bike, 1.2 mile run. It didn't go great, but I can't complain either. I didn't really rest at all for the race, just took the Saturday real easy, but I ran really hard Friday afternoon (although not intentionally)! This was my first duathlon and as I am not the greatest runner it was much more difficult than I had anticipated.

Usually, I get on the bike in a triathlon feeling fresh and warmed up. But hoping onto the bike after running-not nice for my legs which were already a bit tired and sore. Oh well. My ride wasn't great-it just hurt-especially the hills. With my new bike the hills are much easier but I just didn't have it in my legs to push them hard. Turns out three of the girls in front of me went off course (about 1.8 miles) on the bike so I ended up passing them and getting 4th overall. They probably all would have finished ahead of me had they not gone off course, but 4th overall isn't bad for my first duathlon.

Of course, my T2 transition was a blazing 38 seconds, the fastest out of any male or female...as it typically is pretty fast. Eric is always amazed as this, and can't seem to figure out how I do it...I am not sure I know either-just go go go. You can view my race report (and find photos) at http://www.elitetriangletriteam.org/scgi-bin/forum/Blah.pl?m-1145902578/

This week has just been training-did a long ride Tuesday and felt great, did a brick yesterday and felt good, and swam this morning and did good too. I am going to go for a few more hard days before I take a nice rest week for the race next weekend.

I am headed up to James Madision this weekend for a math conference-yeah. I talk on Saturday afternoon on my research. Should be pretty low key, one of my friends is going and talking right after me. I tried to talk Eric into going but he didn't feel like having a stressful weekend (of driving). Maybe he will get around to reapolstering the other cushions on the couch then!

Am I really a good teacher?

Sometimes I think I am a great teacher and I think my students think that too. Then certain things happen and you wonder if you really are. I know somepeople don't care if they are or not, but to me it is important. I feel like if I am good at something then I am making a difference or something like that. So 3 years ago I was nominated for a teaching award. I then got observed by 3 different faculty members and then this committee meets and decides who is the best and they win (cash money here people). So I didn't win my first year-no big deal, there are about 15 people competing for the award and they tend to give it to the older folks. Well, you automatically qualify to be in the running the next year if you don't win. So last year I again was observed 3 times and yet again did not win. Oh well I thought. So again this year I get observed by 3 more people and I again find out I didn't win. Then I start wondering, what if I just by accident got nominated 3 years ago and now just keep getting rolled over into the next year. Who knows if I really am a effective teacher or not.

I also had decided to apply to a program called Preparing the Professoriate about a month and a half ago. I had to write up some things-a resume, teaching philosophy, etc... What happens is in the fall I would sit in on an upper level class (Abstract Algebra) and then next spring I would get to teach it. This is an area that a lot of my research is in and I really enjoy it so that is why I chose to apply. Well, I received a letter yesterday saying that I was not chosen. I can still actually sit in the class and then teach it, but again I did not get accepted into the program-meaning it won't go on my resume and I do not receive the great $2000 that goes along with it. ($2000 is a lot for someone who doesn't make hardly any $$!!!)

I was pretty upset yesterday about the whole thing. I have been thinking about applying to industry jobs, in particular the NSA and CIA (both pay really well) and this whole not getting these awards has confirmed my whole decision about that. So who knows, maybe I won't be teaching when I am done with this whole ph.d thing.

Oh-and Mom just so you know I changed the settings on my blog so you-or anyone can leave comments now. :)

The Exhausting City of DC

Eric and I spent a long weekend up in DC for Easter. It was a Christmas present from Eric's parents. We meet them and his brother and his family there for a family get together. We stayed outside DC in Crystal/Pentagon City, about a 10 min walk to the metro. The first day we were there we got up early (of course-do we ever sleep in) and went the Smithsonian. We hung out at the Natural History Museum and the American History Museum (EZ's choice). We went through them (or parts of them) pretty quick. We decided to head up to tour George Washington and then go to Georgetown. We didn't really see much of GWU-I think mainly because it is just woven into the city. We walked towards Georgetown and shopped along M Street which had tons of shops. Had to stop at the Lush store and pick up some stuff-if you like shops like Body Works and Bath and Body Shop-you might love Lush. Everything there is all natural and smells amazing. They have very unique products and their Bath Bombs and Bubble bath bars are great. Lately I have been trying their new soaps and have fell in love with 17 Cherry Tree Lane-great smelling, smooth creamy soap. You can check out their stuff at www.lush.com.

After shopping and grabbing some crazy expensive ice cream (~$5 for a single scoop) we toured Georgetown and wow what a beautiful school. By the time we were done it was late in the afternoon and we headed back to the hotel-exhausted. We probably walked a good 4 or 5 miles that day-just on our feet all day. We meet up with Eric's family and went to dinner. Saturday we meet one of my friends for breakfast at a cute spot (Pete's Diner) on Capitol Hill. It was great catching up with you Marissa! We then headed to the art museum (my choice) and did the Cezanne exhibit. We just hung out in DC that afternoon-spent some time in Barnes and Noble and went to the Ford Theater (where Lincoln was shot) and walk around Chinatown where we had dinner with a couple of Eric's friends. After that we met up with Eric's family in the pool of our hotel and just talked.

We woke up early Sunday morning and went for a run and then we all had breakfast together and hung out before everyone left. We drove home and made great time-only took us a little under 4 hours to ge to Chapel Hill and like 4:15 to home. Eric decided we could go out and ride too so we did a 25 mile loop and worked the hills really hard. I was very impressed with my self as I was able to keep up with Eric on most of the hills.

Now it is time for another week. Just a regular week and a short duathon this week!

Red Shiny Bike

I was finally able to pick my bike up and ride it yesterday. It is really sweet. Feels really fast and is super lightweight...even lighter than my cat!! :) I rode for close to 25 miles yesterday and another 25 today. I had to switch the seat yesterday as the one I put on was not comfy. So after my 25 miles yesterday my butt is hurting pretty bad. I rode today with my saddle that I had on my original bike, and while it was better, still not great. I will have to look around for another one.

We are headed to DC this afternoon (actually in like an hour), so it should be fun. THere is a pool at the hotel, but I don't think there is a hot tub...man that would be the best!! Oh well. Not sure what we are going to do all weekend, but it hopefully will be a nice little mini vacation. Happy Easter!

Feeling Better

This being sick thing has taken its toll on me, but I am getting better. Still have a lot of congestion and coughing quite a bit but I feel a whole lot better. The weekend started out kind of dreary. I went to pick up my bike but we ended up switching some parts so it was going to take longer than expected. Once they switched out some stuff and I tested it again they finally have to glue this last part and it has to sit for a day. I actually am supposed to pick it up this afternoon for good and will be going on a ride this evening, so it should be fun.

I had a great training day yesterday-rode 22 miles plus a 4 mile run afterwards. I felt really good and then did some abs and push ups and stuff. Today I am a little sore but no big deal. I swam this morning and it could have gone worse and will hopefully feel super fast this afternoon on my bike. Other than that just relaxed this weekend. Did some research on some investment type stuff as Eric and I are trying to figure out if we want to start a Roth IRA, traditional IRA, invest in what kind of mutual funds, do we want to put our money in a money market.... There are so many things to pick and choose, it is a little overwhelming.

Just a short week this week as both Meredith and NCSU get an Easter holiday so Thursday Eric and I head up to DC for a weekend of fun with the Zack family-and to see a good friend while we are there. Hopefully it will be somewhat relaxing!

Bike

By the way-my bike finally came and they are putting it together! I can pick it up Friday!!! That makes the feeling sick a little nicer! :)

Long and Exciting Weekend

Wow-so I got back yesterday from my 4 day "vacation" to Fayetteville. I had the best time. Thanks girls for all the fun memories. I got in Thursday night and we went out to the Piano bar-didn't stay out too late that night, just had some fun. Friday after a long run with Susie I headed up to campus to give my talk. It went really well except for the stupid sticker I left on my pants-that somehow Susie and I missed seeing even after we talked about it and looked for it. Oh well.

Friday night was the BBQ and I got to see so many old friends. We just hung out and talked and ate some good food and eventually headed back to Corey's to have some drinks before heading out. Sara and I didn't make it long that evening, and we headed home and went to bed. The rest of the girls stayed out till 2 or 3 and some of them managed to spot John Daily who was in town for a golf event. Lucky them.

Saturday day wasn't all that exciting-we hung out went to brunch, went to a few shops, then went back and napped. We are an exciting bruch-but it was all good when we went out that night and had tons of fun. After Sara had about 5 beers we went over to Irene's and watch some of the final four before heading out to get some grub. Susie and I ordered some drink that sounded good but ended up being a little more than a shot of who knows what. We headed over to a bar that had a patio and again orderd drinks that were not good. By then Sara had had about 8 beers and was still going strong. They were playing great music so we decided to start dancing-which in turn got the whole place going. Us swimmer's really know how to dance and get a party started! :) Sara left early (12:30) with Drue as they had to leave early the next day. The rest of us stayed dancing until the bar closed. I don't remember the last time I have been out that late.

Sometime in the middle of the night Sara got up from the couch and went to the bathroom to throw up. She comes out and as I ask her if she is alright she claims it must have been something she ate...hmmmmm, could it might have been the 10 beers you drank plus the dancing! But hey you could not have looked any better as my twin that night! (Or as you would say-I was your twin).

Sunday consisted of relaxing-napping, lunch, dinner, a movie and some good old Grey's Anatomy. Nice day.

Somehow I managed to get sick with some sort of cold and my head could not feel any worse, but I guess that is the price I have to pay for staying up way to late for too many nights. It was well worth it.

I miss all of you and love you guys!!!