Today, got a quick 30 miler in. Damn windy, too. Managed to eek out a decent mph, due to the stiff push out of town and ducking out of it on the way back with some hills. Tomorrow will be another brick. I want to get going early to try to cut down on the wind.
There are dictionaries sitting on the table that need names put in for the third graders. Procrastination is beginning to wear me down. Maybe I will get that done tomorrow.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Bike Nutrition
Missed a swim last night, due to being on call. I will take call today also, as backup. Lately, the backup goes in about 90% of the time. We will see about a bike ride later today.
On the bike, I have started to play with a few different "mixes" in my gatorade. There are more than a few good articles about BCAA's and maltodextrin. Have been using those with the gatorade, and it keeps me from running aground on long rides. This comes out to about 70 grams of carbs an hour. 70 g instead of 60? Easier to measure the maltodextrin. Now, there was an article in this month's running times about using fructose and glucose in a 1:2 ratio. Apparently, it boosts your uptake of carbs significantly over other combinations or glucose alone. Makes sense, when you think about all those metabolic pathways you learn in biochem. In the past, they were looking at glucose transporters, and 60 grams was all those pathways could handle per hour.
Powerbar is the only one on board with making this new 1:2 glucose/frucose formula in their gel. Gels are gross. I once heard at a race "do you spit or swallow" and that came from a man. He couldn't have been the only person that thinks that. I think simply buying the two powders and mixing myself will be much cheaper. I may try that on a few rides. But, I am wondering what happens to the body's uptake of sugar after exercise and during the exercise for that matter, if you do this all the time. What I mean to say is that if those muscles don't have to become more effecient at storing glycogen, do we eventually have less capacity?
Less capacity could be devastating on a long course event. Many people, myself very much included here cannot handle this kind of sugar on the run. When all your blood heads south to the legs, the guts don't want to do their job anymore. So, after racking the bike and heading out for that marathon, gatorade is about the stiffest drink we can handle without excessive port-a-potty trips.
There are several long rides before IMAZ. A few of them with the "new formula" and a few without. If it works great, it will be on the bike and in my special needs bags for the bike.
On the bike, I have started to play with a few different "mixes" in my gatorade. There are more than a few good articles about BCAA's and maltodextrin. Have been using those with the gatorade, and it keeps me from running aground on long rides. This comes out to about 70 grams of carbs an hour. 70 g instead of 60? Easier to measure the maltodextrin. Now, there was an article in this month's running times about using fructose and glucose in a 1:2 ratio. Apparently, it boosts your uptake of carbs significantly over other combinations or glucose alone. Makes sense, when you think about all those metabolic pathways you learn in biochem. In the past, they were looking at glucose transporters, and 60 grams was all those pathways could handle per hour.
Powerbar is the only one on board with making this new 1:2 glucose/frucose formula in their gel. Gels are gross. I once heard at a race "do you spit or swallow" and that came from a man. He couldn't have been the only person that thinks that. I think simply buying the two powders and mixing myself will be much cheaper. I may try that on a few rides. But, I am wondering what happens to the body's uptake of sugar after exercise and during the exercise for that matter, if you do this all the time. What I mean to say is that if those muscles don't have to become more effecient at storing glycogen, do we eventually have less capacity?
Less capacity could be devastating on a long course event. Many people, myself very much included here cannot handle this kind of sugar on the run. When all your blood heads south to the legs, the guts don't want to do their job anymore. So, after racking the bike and heading out for that marathon, gatorade is about the stiffest drink we can handle without excessive port-a-potty trips.
There are several long rides before IMAZ. A few of them with the "new formula" and a few without. If it works great, it will be on the bike and in my special needs bags for the bike.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
I am a Nurse!
Lately my attitude has been crap. Ornery about everything. Things that I have invested myself in, I am ready to throw the towel in on. I just haven't felt that what I was doing was appreciated. Case point, I requested addresses for our ANNA local chapter from nationals at the beginning of the summer, and twice more since. No response. The other day, I get this e-mail saying they have set up a "task force" to figure out a way they can assist chapters that are struggling. They would like me to take a survey to tell them what I think. ARGH! Are you kidding me? So I thought about how I would respond to this for awhile. Then I got mad and said some things in an e-mail that weren't very nice. I mean, it wasn't terrible or anything. It was professional. But it could have been said nicer. BAD KARMA!
At work, we are striving to get Magnet Status. Some of the higher-ups have asked to interview me to discuss my involvement with professional nursing organizations and how it has affected my practice. Also, they wanted to know about my volunteer work in the community as a nurse and if it made a difference. It got me thinking about what it is that I do on my own time and what it is that I like about it. This was a good thing, since I seem to be functioning in a burned-out zone. About time for a reset, I would say!
I have been working in nephrology related areas for the past five years. In that time, I have been involved in American Nephrology Nurses' Association for the past 3. Last year, I was the chapter president-elect for the Badger chapter. I traveled to our national convention in Dallas. I am now the current President for our local chapter. We offer numerous topics for furthering education. This summer, our chapter planned a certification review course and hosted a certification exam. I sat successfully for this exam, and can say with pride that I am a Certified Nephrology Nurse. The national chapter encouraged me to become certified, by role-modeling and mentoring. Certification furthers understanding of the standards of your practice, which is the root to being able to provide the best possible care to your patients. Programs that discuss the importance of access is on example of how they have impacted my practice. I now discuss the benefits of utilization of a fistula for access with my patients and encourage them to protect the access they have. The best dialysis equals the highest quality of life for patients who have chronic kidney disease. ANNA encourages collaboration with other groups to further education and improve the quality of offerings. This September, our local chapter collaborated with the National Kidney Foundation to host an all day event for medical professionals. The topics presented were all aimed at improving the lives of kidney patients. We provided programs for dieticians, social workers, nurses and dialysis technicians. The program included 13.5 continuing educational credits. October 7th, we will be hosting an audioconference entitled "Getting Your Patient Ready for Transplant" here at UW. Being involved with others who share my specialty allows me to discuss things that impact the health and lives of my patients. It is a great way to gain new ideas and to feel that I can make a difference to my patients, who often struggle to cope with an illness that can be very difficult to accept. This keeps me excited to go to work, gives me the chance to share what I learn.
This past spring, another nurse form UW got me involved in Touched Twice. She is really "out there in the trenches" when it comes to giving of yourself in the community, and really a gem of a human being. Touched Twice is an organization that sponsors free clinics throughout the country. We participated in a clinic in Sun Prairie. All services are volunteer based. I was responsible for contacting chiropractors to assist with the clinic. There were four that volunteered to see patients. At the clinic, I provided vitals, weights and blood glucose monitoring. I provided health screenings prior to patients seeing a physician. I didn't realize we would have so many people coming who otherwise would not have access to primary care. Information was given to assist them in getting prescriptions free or reduced. I was saddened to see so many children who did not have basic access to care. I remember a patient who came in with severe depression, who had suffered for months untreated because of lack of insurance. Many like these were referred to professionals offering pro bono services. It makes me tear up just to remember that day. But so many people were helped and I really felt that we were needed, both our skills as professionals and as fellow human beings that could simply offer an ear to those hurting emotionally. I left that day, knowing that I had gotten so much more out of this experience than the people who sought my services.
As a nurse, I have the greatest job in the world. I just sometimes forget it, getting caught up in the negativity that is so abundant in our work culture. But I really cannot think of another job where what I do makes such a difference to those in need. These are real people, many with very serious health problems. Invest yourself in them and you get so much more back. A kind word, a bit of reassurance. Responding quickly to requests, thinking ahead to what they might need. Providing expert care. Explaining the why's they don't get when the doctor tells them what to do. I am honored to be part of their lives, if only for a snapshot in time. They probably will not remember me personally. But you better believe they will remember how I treat them. I am a nurse.
At work, we are striving to get Magnet Status. Some of the higher-ups have asked to interview me to discuss my involvement with professional nursing organizations and how it has affected my practice. Also, they wanted to know about my volunteer work in the community as a nurse and if it made a difference. It got me thinking about what it is that I do on my own time and what it is that I like about it. This was a good thing, since I seem to be functioning in a burned-out zone. About time for a reset, I would say!
I have been working in nephrology related areas for the past five years. In that time, I have been involved in American Nephrology Nurses' Association for the past 3. Last year, I was the chapter president-elect for the Badger chapter. I traveled to our national convention in Dallas. I am now the current President for our local chapter. We offer numerous topics for furthering education. This summer, our chapter planned a certification review course and hosted a certification exam. I sat successfully for this exam, and can say with pride that I am a Certified Nephrology Nurse. The national chapter encouraged me to become certified, by role-modeling and mentoring. Certification furthers understanding of the standards of your practice, which is the root to being able to provide the best possible care to your patients. Programs that discuss the importance of access is on example of how they have impacted my practice. I now discuss the benefits of utilization of a fistula for access with my patients and encourage them to protect the access they have. The best dialysis equals the highest quality of life for patients who have chronic kidney disease. ANNA encourages collaboration with other groups to further education and improve the quality of offerings. This September, our local chapter collaborated with the National Kidney Foundation to host an all day event for medical professionals. The topics presented were all aimed at improving the lives of kidney patients. We provided programs for dieticians, social workers, nurses and dialysis technicians. The program included 13.5 continuing educational credits. October 7th, we will be hosting an audioconference entitled "Getting Your Patient Ready for Transplant" here at UW. Being involved with others who share my specialty allows me to discuss things that impact the health and lives of my patients. It is a great way to gain new ideas and to feel that I can make a difference to my patients, who often struggle to cope with an illness that can be very difficult to accept. This keeps me excited to go to work, gives me the chance to share what I learn.
This past spring, another nurse form UW got me involved in Touched Twice. She is really "out there in the trenches" when it comes to giving of yourself in the community, and really a gem of a human being. Touched Twice is an organization that sponsors free clinics throughout the country. We participated in a clinic in Sun Prairie. All services are volunteer based. I was responsible for contacting chiropractors to assist with the clinic. There were four that volunteered to see patients. At the clinic, I provided vitals, weights and blood glucose monitoring. I provided health screenings prior to patients seeing a physician. I didn't realize we would have so many people coming who otherwise would not have access to primary care. Information was given to assist them in getting prescriptions free or reduced. I was saddened to see so many children who did not have basic access to care. I remember a patient who came in with severe depression, who had suffered for months untreated because of lack of insurance. Many like these were referred to professionals offering pro bono services. It makes me tear up just to remember that day. But so many people were helped and I really felt that we were needed, both our skills as professionals and as fellow human beings that could simply offer an ear to those hurting emotionally. I left that day, knowing that I had gotten so much more out of this experience than the people who sought my services.
As a nurse, I have the greatest job in the world. I just sometimes forget it, getting caught up in the negativity that is so abundant in our work culture. But I really cannot think of another job where what I do makes such a difference to those in need. These are real people, many with very serious health problems. Invest yourself in them and you get so much more back. A kind word, a bit of reassurance. Responding quickly to requests, thinking ahead to what they might need. Providing expert care. Explaining the why's they don't get when the doctor tells them what to do. I am honored to be part of their lives, if only for a snapshot in time. They probably will not remember me personally. But you better believe they will remember how I treat them. I am a nurse.
I am a Nurse!
Lately my attitude has been crap. Ornery about everything. Things that I have invested myself in, I am ready to throw the towel in on. I just haven't felt that what I was doing was appreciated. Case point, I requested addresses for our ANNA local chapter from nationals at the beginning of the summer, and twice more since. No response. The other day, I get this e-mail saying they have set up a "task force" to figure out a way they can assist chapters that are struggling. They would like me to take a survey to tell them what I think. ARGH! Are you kidding me? So I thought about how I would respond to this for awhile. Then I got mad and said some things in an e-mail that weren't very nice. I mean, it wasn't terrible or anything. It was professional. But it could have been said nicer. BAD KARMA!
At work, we are striving to get Magnet Status. Some of the higher-ups have asked to interview me to discuss my involvement with professional nursing organizations and how it has affected my practice. Also, they wanted to know about my volunteer work in the community as a nurse and if it made a difference. It got me thinking about what it is that I do on my own time and what it is that I like about it. This was a good thing, since I seem to be functioning in a burned-out zone. About time for a reset, I would say!
I have been working in nephrology related areas for the past five years. In that time, I have been involved in American Nephrology Nurses' Association for the past 3. Last year, I was the chapter president-elect for the Badger chapter. I traveled to our national convention in Dallas. I am now the current President for our local chapter. We offer numerous topics for furthering education. This summer, our chapter planned a certification review course and hosted a certification exam. I sat successfully for this exam, and can say with pride that I am a Certified Nephrology Nurse. The national chapter encouraged me to become certified, by role-modeling and mentoring. Certification furthers understanding of the standards of your practice, which is the root to being able to provide the best possible care to your patients. Programs that discuss the importance of access is on example of how they have impacted my practice. I now discuss the benefits of utilization of a fistula for access with my patients and encourage them to protect the access they have. The best dialysis equals the highest quality of life for patients who have chronic kidney disease. ANNA encourages collaboration with other groups to further education and improve the quality of offerings. This September, our local chapter collaborated with the National Kidney Foundation to host an all day event for medical professionals. The topics presented were all aimed at improving the lives of kidney patients. We provided programs for dieticians, social workers, nurses and dialysis technicians. The program included 13.5 continuing educational credits. October 7th, we will be hosting an audioconference entitled "Getting Your Patient Ready for Transplant" here at UW. Being involved with others who share my specialty allows me to discuss things that impact the health and lives of my patients. It is a great way to gain new ideas and to feel that I can make a difference to my patients, who often struggle to cope with an illness that can be very difficult to accept. This keeps me excited to go to work, gives me the chance to share what I learn.
This past spring, another nurse form UW got me involved in Touched Twice. She is really "out there in the trenches" when it comes to giving of yourself in the community, and really a gem of a human being. Touched Twice is an organization that sponsors free clinics throughout the country. We participated in a clinic in Sun Prairie. All services are volunteer based. I was responsible for contacting chiropractors to assist with the clinic. There were four that volunteered to see patients. At the clinic, I provided vitals, weights and blood glucose monitoring. I provided health screenings prior to patients seeing a physician. I didn't realize we would have so many people coming who otherwise would not have access to primary care. Information was given to assist them in getting prescriptions free or reduced. I was saddened to see so many children who did not have basic access to care. I remember a patient who came in with severe depression, who had suffered for months untreated because of lack of insurance. Many like these were referred to professionals offering pro bono services. It makes me tear up just to remember that day. But so many people were helped and I really felt that we were needed, both our skills as professionals and as fellow human beings that could simply offer an ear to those hurting emotionally. I left that day, knowing that I had gotten so much more out of this experience than the people who sought my services.At work, we are striving to get Magnet Status. Some of the higher-ups have asked to interview me to discuss my involvement with professional nursing organizations and how it has affected my practice. Also, they wanted to know about my volunteer work in the community as a nurse and if it made a difference. It got me thinking about what it is that I do on my own time and what it is that I like about it. This was a good thing, since I seem to be functioning in a burned-out zone. About time for a reset, I would say!
I have been working in nephrology related areas for the past five years. In that time, I have been involved in American Nephrology Nurses' Association for the past 3. Last year, I was the chapter president-elect for the Badger chapter. I traveled to our national convention in Dallas. I am now the current President for our local chapter. We offer numerous topics for furthering education. This summer, our chapter planned a certification review course and hosted a certification exam. I sat successfully for this exam, and can say with pride that I am a Certified Nephrology Nurse. The national chapter encouraged me to become certified, by role-modeling and mentoring. Certification furthers understanding of the standards of your practice, which is the root to being able to provide the best possible care to your patients. Programs that discuss the importance of access is on example of how they have impacted my practice. I now discuss the benefits of utilization of a fistula for access with my patients and encourage them to protect the access they have. The best dialysis equals the highest quality of life for patients who have chronic kidney disease. ANNA encourages collaboration with other groups to further education and improve the quality of offerings. This September, our local chapter collaborated with the National Kidney Foundation to host an all day event for medical professionals. The topics presented were all aimed at improving the lives of kidney patients. We provided programs for dieticians, social workers, nurses and dialysis technicians. The program included 13.5 continuing educational credits. October 7th, we will be hosting an audioconference entitled "Getting Your Patient Ready for Transplant" here at UW. Being involved with others who share my specialty allows me to discuss things that impact the health and lives of my patients. It is a great way to gain new ideas and to feel that I can make a difference to my patients, who often struggle to cope with an illness that can be very difficult to accept. This keeps me excited to go to work, gives me the chance to share what I learn.
As a nurse, I have the greatest job in the world. I just sometimes forget it, getting caught up in the negativity that is so abundant in our work culture. But I really cannot think of another job where what I do makes such a difference to those in need. These are real people, many with very serious health problems. Invest yourself in them and you get so much more back. A kind word, a bit of reassurance. Responding quickly to requests, thinking ahead to what they might need. Providing expert care. Explaining the why's they don't get when the doctor tells them what to do. I am honored to be part of their lives, if only for a snapshot in time. They probably will not remember me personally. But you better believe they will remember how I treat them. I am a nurse.
I am a Nurse!
Lately my attitude has been crap. Ornery about everything. Things that I have invested myself in, I am ready to throw the towel in on. I just haven't felt that what I was doing was appreciated. Case point, I requested addresses for our ANNA local chapter from nationals at the beginning of the summer, and twice more since. No response. The other day, I get this e-mail saying they have set up a "task force" to figure out a way they can assist chapters that are struggling. They would like me to take a survey to tell them what I think. ARGH! Are you kidding me? So I thought about how I would respond to this for awhile. Then I got mad and said some things in an e-mail that weren't very nice. I mean, it wasn't terrible or anything. It was professional. But it could have been said nicer. BAD KARMA!
At work, we are striving to get Magnet Status. Some of the higher-ups have asked to interview me to discuss my involvement with professional nursing organizations and how it has affected my practice. Also, they wanted to know about my volunteer work in the community as a nurse and if it made a difference. It got me thinking about what it is that I do on my own time and what it is that I like about it. This was a good thing, since I seem to be functioning in a burned-out zone. About time for a reset, I would say!
I have been working in nephrology related areas for the past five years. In that time, I have been involved in American Nephrology Nurses' Association for the past 3. Last year, I was the chapter president-elect for the Badger chapter. I traveled to our national convention in Dallas. I am now the current President for our local chapter. We offer numerous topics for furthering education. This summer, our chapter planned a certification review course and hosted a certification exam. I sat successfully for this exam, and can say with pride that I am a Certified Nephrology Nurse. The national chapter encouraged me to become certified, by role-modeling and mentoring. Certification furthers understanding of the standards of your practice, which is the root to being able to provide the best possible care to your patients. Programs that discuss the importance of access is on example of how they have impacted my practice. I now discuss the benefits of utilization of a fistula for access with my patients and encourage them to protect the access they have. The best dialysis equals the highest quality of life for patients who have chronic kidney disease. ANNA encourages collaboration with other groups to further education and improve the quality of offerings. This September, our local chapter collaborated with the National Kidney Foundation to host an all day event for medical professionals. The topics presented were all aimed at improving the lives of kidney patients. We provided programs for dieticians, social workers, nurses and dialysis technicians. The program included 13.5 continuing educational credits. October 7th, we will be hosting an audioconference entitled "Getting Your Patient Ready for Transplant" here at UW. Being involved with others who share my specialty allows me to discuss things that impact the health and lives of my patients. It is a great way to gain new ideas and to feel that I can make a difference to my patients, who often struggle to cope with an illness that can be very difficult to accept. This keeps me excited to go to work, gives me the chance to share what I learn.
At work, we are striving to get Magnet Status. Some of the higher-ups have asked to interview me to discuss my involvement with professional nursing organizations and how it has affected my practice. Also, they wanted to know about my volunteer work in the community as a nurse and if it made a difference. It got me thinking about what it is that I do on my own time and what it is that I like about it. This was a good thing, since I seem to be functioning in a burned-out zone. About time for a reset, I would say!
I have been working in nephrology related areas for the past five years. In that time, I have been involved in American Nephrology Nurses' Association for the past 3. Last year, I was the chapter president-elect for the Badger chapter. I traveled to our national convention in Dallas. I am now the current President for our local chapter. We offer numerous topics for furthering education. This summer, our chapter planned a certification review course and hosted a certification exam. I sat successfully for this exam, and can say with pride that I am a Certified Nephrology Nurse. The national chapter encouraged me to become certified, by role-modeling and mentoring. Certification furthers understanding of the standards of your practice, which is the root to being able to provide the best possible care to your patients. Programs that discuss the importance of access is on example of how they have impacted my practice. I now discuss the benefits of utilization of a fistula for access with my patients and encourage them to protect the access they have. The best dialysis equals the highest quality of life for patients who have chronic kidney disease. ANNA encourages collaboration with other groups to further education and improve the quality of offerings. This September, our local chapter collaborated with the National Kidney Foundation to host an all day event for medical professionals. The topics presented were all aimed at improving the lives of kidney patients. We provided programs for dieticians, social workers, nurses and dialysis technicians. The program included 13.5 continuing educational credits. October 7th, we will be hosting an audioconference entitled "Getting Your Patient Ready for Transplant" here at UW. Being involved with others who share my specialty allows me to discuss things that impact the health and lives of my patients. It is a great way to gain new ideas and to feel that I can make a difference to my patients, who often struggle to cope with an illness that can be very difficult to accept. This keeps me excited to go to work, gives me the chance to share what I learn.
This past spring, another nurse form UW got me involved in Touched Twice. She is really "out there in the trenches" when it comes to giving of yourself in the community, and really a gem of a human being. Touched Twice is an organization that sponsors free clinics throughout the country. We participated in a clinic in Sun Prairie. All services are volunteer based. I was responsible for contacting chiropractors to assist with the clinic. There were four that volunteered to see patients. At the clinic, I provided vitals, weights and blood glucose monitoring. I provided health screenings prior to patients seeing a physician. I didn't realize we would have so many people coming who otherwise would not have access to primary care. Information was given to assist them in getting prescriptions free or reduced. I was saddened to see so many children who did not have basic access to care. I remember a patient who came in with severe depression, who had suffered for months untreated because of lack of insurance. Many like these were referred to professionals offering pro bono services. It makes me tear up just to remember that day. But so many people were helped and I really felt that we were needed, both our skills as professionals and as fellow human beings that could simply offer an ear to those hurting emotionally. I left that day, knowing that I had gotten so much more out of this experience than the people who sought my services.
As a nurse, I have the greatest job in the world. I just sometimes forget it, getting caught up in the negativity that is so abundant in our work culture. But I really cannot think of another job where what I do makes such a difference to those in need. These are real people, many with very serious health problems. Invest yourself in them and you get so much more back. A kind word, a bit of reassurance. Responding quickly to requests, thinking ahead to what they might need. Providing expert care. Explaining the why's they don't get when the doctor tells them what to do. I am honored to be part of their lives, if only for a snapshot in time. They probably will not remember me personally. But you better believe they will remember how I treat them. I am a nurse.
As a nurse, I have the greatest job in the world. I just sometimes forget it, getting caught up in the negativity that is so abundant in our work culture. But I really cannot think of another job where what I do makes such a difference to those in need. These are real people, many with very serious health problems. Invest yourself in them and you get so much more back. A kind word, a bit of reassurance. Responding quickly to requests, thinking ahead to what they might need. Providing expert care. Explaining the why's they don't get when the doctor tells them what to do. I am honored to be part of their lives, if only for a snapshot in time. They probably will not remember me personally. But you better believe they will remember how I treat them. I am a nurse.
Sunday, September 21, 2008
The Accountability Factor
My swimming sucks. Plain and simple. I am beginning to think about what it is going to mean when I don't make the swim cut-off time. This isn't something that I'm just not being realistic about. IM WI was in 2:04. No, the waves didn't slow me down. Think barge. Last time I was pulling my daughter in the raft, with no change in speed. I seem to be missing a gear.
Fitness is NOT a factor. Got the bike and run down pretty much without concerns. Can ride century rides without soreness, now doing bricks of 75/5. Those are going very well. I have doubled and tripled the bricks up also. No real issues there.
This time around, I am just avoiding swimming. It doesn't go well, the water is cold. The excuse list could be miles long. The only legit reason I have is that it aggravates my back. Too much extension in a swim position. It needs to be practiced, it will get better.
Swimming has not been made a habit. The biking and running gets done, because I love to do it. More importantly, it is a habit. There is a tendency to love the things you do. Once you get in there and make yourself do it, it gets easier. Ever notice how the longer you miss workouts, the easier that gets?
I am going to try to get up early to swim at Princeton on days that I am on call, as a way to overcome my excuse of swimming with a beeper. On the other days, I can swim after work there. At least once a week, I should get into the race for sighting practice. This will also force me to overcome anxiety about being in open water. This sort of panic can only be really understood if you have or have had this, and seems to be a REAL race limiter for me.
Fitness is NOT a factor. Got the bike and run down pretty much without concerns. Can ride century rides without soreness, now doing bricks of 75/5. Those are going very well. I have doubled and tripled the bricks up also. No real issues there.
This time around, I am just avoiding swimming. It doesn't go well, the water is cold. The excuse list could be miles long. The only legit reason I have is that it aggravates my back. Too much extension in a swim position. It needs to be practiced, it will get better.
Swimming has not been made a habit. The biking and running gets done, because I love to do it. More importantly, it is a habit. There is a tendency to love the things you do. Once you get in there and make yourself do it, it gets easier. Ever notice how the longer you miss workouts, the easier that gets?
I am going to try to get up early to swim at Princeton on days that I am on call, as a way to overcome my excuse of swimming with a beeper. On the other days, I can swim after work there. At least once a week, I should get into the race for sighting practice. This will also force me to overcome anxiety about being in open water. This sort of panic can only be really understood if you have or have had this, and seems to be a REAL race limiter for me.
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Controlling Armadillos
Brodhead beat East Troy last night by at least 40/7. Don't know the final because we left with 3 minutes on the clock and we saw Brodhead intercept one as we drove away. On the way home, we got on the topic of running things over with the car. We started to speculate about what hitting an armadillo would be like. Do they just crumple up and die, or is it like punting a football? We have been northerners all our lives, and this simply isn't an issue we encounter. They look kind of cute in an armored-car sort of way, and seem harmless enough at the zoo.
This discussion lead in to what do they eat. I thought bugs, but wasn't sure. When we got home, we did a little search on the beast. What disgusting rats with shells they turned out to be! They are unbelievably diseased! 53% have leprosy. Hell, if you saw one without a leg you wouldn't be thinking that was the cause. Yuck! Salmonella, tape worms, rabies. The list goes on and on. Armadillos are a common wildlife pest species in the south. The biggest problem that they cause is that they dig up people's yards, besides being nasty and stank. Here are a few of their favorite hobbies:
There are buisnesses all over that remove them. The Trapper Guy and Orlando Armadillo Control are just a couple. I can't believe what a gross job this would be. Imagine even touching a cage that had an animal with leprosy in it. I would be inclined to just shoot the damn thing myself, but imagine baby armadillos under your porch rotting for three years...and having to remove the carcass yourself. Mike was thinking high-powered riffle, to make sure you penetrate the hide. Awsome, blown tapeworms and leprosy-infected tissue all over the yard. Yuck, yuck, yuck. I'm staying in Wisconsin. Skunks, coons and possums are piggy enough.
This discussion lead in to what do they eat. I thought bugs, but wasn't sure. When we got home, we did a little search on the beast. What disgusting rats with shells they turned out to be! They are unbelievably diseased! 53% have leprosy. Hell, if you saw one without a leg you wouldn't be thinking that was the cause. Yuck! Salmonella, tape worms, rabies. The list goes on and on. Armadillos are a common wildlife pest species in the south. The biggest problem that they cause is that they dig up people's yards, besides being nasty and stank. Here are a few of their favorite hobbies:
- Making large burrows under the house
- Tearing up & destroying landscaping
- Making holes all over the yard
- Tunneling leading to cracks in foundation
- Destroying pipes under home
There are buisnesses all over that remove them. The Trapper Guy and Orlando Armadillo Control are just a couple. I can't believe what a gross job this would be. Imagine even touching a cage that had an animal with leprosy in it. I would be inclined to just shoot the damn thing myself, but imagine baby armadillos under your porch rotting for three years...and having to remove the carcass yourself. Mike was thinking high-powered riffle, to make sure you penetrate the hide. Awsome, blown tapeworms and leprosy-infected tissue all over the yard. Yuck, yuck, yuck. I'm staying in Wisconsin. Skunks, coons and possums are piggy enough.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Patient Quality of Care Success!
National Kidney Foundation and American Nephrology Nurses had our annual symposium today. We had 145 people there, and about 75 were nurses and dialysis technicians. The whole thing was incredible but tiring.
My favorite speaker was Bob Hanisch. He has a degree in exercise phys and is a certified diabetes educator. He has competed in Ironman triathlons also and runs Peak Performance out of Brookfield. I want his job. We talked about training plans and implementing them for patients, along with some specifics for renal and diabetes. Funny, last year we had Shad Ireland. He was the first dialysis patient to ever finish the Ironman. Great speaker, but I bought his book and that wasn't so much. Yes, I can make my job about the Ironman...We are already looking to next year to figure out what to have our talks on.
On the lighter side of things, this weekend was my cousin's wedding and then off to my brother in law's for the annual Packer/Lions Party. It was an awful lot of fun and we came back late exhausted. Too much drinking not enough sleep. Packers rule!
My sister in law was telling me an icky story about my brother. Seems he grows attached to his pillows and has a tendency to drool on them. He will not allow her to throw them away because none of the others meet his stringent standards. She calls his favorite "the pillow of stink".
Mike has the same issue to some extent. Not a drooler, but he sweats. Also won't let me replace the sacred pillow. The girls and I have tried twice in the past 12 months to buy a replacement, but he tries them and no-go. Back to the pillow that is literally falling out of the case.
Before we left for the wedding, Chey took out the pillow and was going to put it in the car. It didn't make it. She set it on the table and off we went. Sunday night, we came home to find the dogs had pulled it appart and had pieces all over the living room. Mike was having a fit. I could hear him outside, and I had to stay there until I could stop laughing. I did tell him that I was sorry about his pillow, but he said I must have dipped it in bacon grease. NO! The damn thing smelled dead. I just know they rolled around on it before they pulled it appart. My sister in law has a corgie dog. Just a little suggestion could go a long way!
My favorite speaker was Bob Hanisch. He has a degree in exercise phys and is a certified diabetes educator. He has competed in Ironman triathlons also and runs Peak Performance out of Brookfield. I want his job. We talked about training plans and implementing them for patients, along with some specifics for renal and diabetes. Funny, last year we had Shad Ireland. He was the first dialysis patient to ever finish the Ironman. Great speaker, but I bought his book and that wasn't so much. Yes, I can make my job about the Ironman...We are already looking to next year to figure out what to have our talks on.
On the lighter side of things, this weekend was my cousin's wedding and then off to my brother in law's for the annual Packer/Lions Party. It was an awful lot of fun and we came back late exhausted. Too much drinking not enough sleep. Packers rule!
My sister in law was telling me an icky story about my brother. Seems he grows attached to his pillows and has a tendency to drool on them. He will not allow her to throw them away because none of the others meet his stringent standards. She calls his favorite "the pillow of stink".
Mike has the same issue to some extent. Not a drooler, but he sweats. Also won't let me replace the sacred pillow. The girls and I have tried twice in the past 12 months to buy a replacement, but he tries them and no-go. Back to the pillow that is literally falling out of the case.
Before we left for the wedding, Chey took out the pillow and was going to put it in the car. It didn't make it. She set it on the table and off we went. Sunday night, we came home to find the dogs had pulled it appart and had pieces all over the living room. Mike was having a fit. I could hear him outside, and I had to stay there until I could stop laughing. I did tell him that I was sorry about his pillow, but he said I must have dipped it in bacon grease. NO! The damn thing smelled dead. I just know they rolled around on it before they pulled it appart. My sister in law has a corgie dog. Just a little suggestion could go a long way!
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
IM WI 08
Busy weekend, but awfully fun too. Mike and I volunteered in registration on Friday. Only 800 registered of the 2200 on Thursday, so we were hopping! All volunteers get a tee-shirt. This year, they have a cow on the front that strangely looks more like a goat. It is original, for sure.
Saturday, Angie, Chey and I went up to deliver our course signs. Angie hadn't been back since 06', but the IM village is still the IM village. Lots of ways to spend your pennies.
Sunday morning, we made church. Then I got a run in. Then off to the IM! Kids were checking the IM splits as often as I was, and they did not want to go hang on the course. So, they stayed home monitoring the computer. I met Mike after his shift, and we took mountain bikes down on the run course by picnic point. There we saw mostly everyone, except CJ. Got some pics too. Supper was pizza and then back on the course. One of our friends who trains at Princeton came through there, along with CJ. Course was complete, with Batman cheering on the participants.
We talked with people along the course. I wore my IM finisher shirt, looks good, but basically I was totally freaking out about IM AZ....Mike was trying to keep my head on, but easy for him-he isn't doing AZ!
Next morning, I was in line for volunteer sign up at 7 am. Lots of nervous, excited banter in the line. Really, that part is suprisingly fun! Some very nice guy handed me his laptop to make a hotel reservation. Sweet!
Saturday, Angie, Chey and I went up to deliver our course signs. Angie hadn't been back since 06', but the IM village is still the IM village. Lots of ways to spend your pennies.
Sunday morning, we made church. Then I got a run in. Then off to the IM! Kids were checking the IM splits as often as I was, and they did not want to go hang on the course. So, they stayed home monitoring the computer. I met Mike after his shift, and we took mountain bikes down on the run course by picnic point. There we saw mostly everyone, except CJ. Got some pics too. Supper was pizza and then back on the course. One of our friends who trains at Princeton came through there, along with CJ. Course was complete, with Batman cheering on the participants.
We talked with people along the course. I wore my IM finisher shirt, looks good, but basically I was totally freaking out about IM AZ....Mike was trying to keep my head on, but easy for him-he isn't doing AZ!
Next morning, I was in line for volunteer sign up at 7 am. Lots of nervous, excited banter in the line. Really, that part is suprisingly fun! Some very nice guy handed me his laptop to make a hotel reservation. Sweet!
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Triple Brick
Well, for those of you who just cannot get enough fun out of a brick workout...Today I did a triple brick workout that I had read about in one of our numerous tri books. One hour on the bike, 1/2 hr on the treadmill, and repeat that twice more. Mike was along for the first hour of biking and then he went home. It was windy and cold, so the second lap went to my house for a sweatshirt.
The workout went quite well. Surprisingly enough, it was much simpler to do this workout as a brick than all of the distance on the bike and then all of the distance on the run.
The recovery was good too. Got home and made sure the 100 grams of carbs with 25 grams protein was in within 20 minutes. Got a quick nap before Chey got home. Got up and ate like a pig. My appetite has been unreal.
I had a great ride out to Lake Ripley on Sunday. It was beautiful out. The SWAT team hung out and we did some grilling. Some of us swam. Kitty kept us all up to date on the members doing IM Kentucky. I took off for home about 3 or 3:30. It had gotten really hot, and I nearly couldn't make it home. When I finally got home, I laid on the bed with a bag of ice on my head. Really thought lunch was coming back to haunt me. Unfortunately, Tawnya was unable to complete her IM in Kentucky. I know I would not have finished in those conditions either. I was fortunate enough to finish my IM the first time around. It was on one hand, good/solid training, and on the other a shit load of luck that it wasn't HOT. What a heart breaker to travel there and be at the mercy of the weather after all you put in to your training.
Still have to figure out the agenda for tomorrow. Need to swim, but the pool is closed. Probably drive to Princeton. Need another intense one-will be busy with IM WI this weekend.
The workout went quite well. Surprisingly enough, it was much simpler to do this workout as a brick than all of the distance on the bike and then all of the distance on the run.
The recovery was good too. Got home and made sure the 100 grams of carbs with 25 grams protein was in within 20 minutes. Got a quick nap before Chey got home. Got up and ate like a pig. My appetite has been unreal.
I had a great ride out to Lake Ripley on Sunday. It was beautiful out. The SWAT team hung out and we did some grilling. Some of us swam. Kitty kept us all up to date on the members doing IM Kentucky. I took off for home about 3 or 3:30. It had gotten really hot, and I nearly couldn't make it home. When I finally got home, I laid on the bed with a bag of ice on my head. Really thought lunch was coming back to haunt me. Unfortunately, Tawnya was unable to complete her IM in Kentucky. I know I would not have finished in those conditions either. I was fortunate enough to finish my IM the first time around. It was on one hand, good/solid training, and on the other a shit load of luck that it wasn't HOT. What a heart breaker to travel there and be at the mercy of the weather after all you put in to your training.
Still have to figure out the agenda for tomorrow. Need to swim, but the pool is closed. Probably drive to Princeton. Need another intense one-will be busy with IM WI this weekend.
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