I just want to post a bit about my day yesterday. I am sure I will expand on the stories until you are tired of hearing about it. The swim was horrendous and the marine life was the least of my problems. The water temp was 81 degrees and I had decided not to wear my wetsuit. You do not realize how much you are protected by your wetsuit. I came out of the water with huge scratches on both legs. Unlike IM Canada, I did not cry in the swim. I got mad and then I started punching back. People have NO idea how to cite in the water and this is one skill that Coach Paul cannot stress enough. I got punched so hard in the left Ta Ta that it brought tears to my eyes, kicked in the face and smacked on the side of my head but I did some damage of my own in defending my little space in the water and it is a good thing that the profanity police were not patrolling the water. :) My big fear in doing this race was my cycle since I struggled so much last season. There were rolling hills and a few false flats but the course was beautiful. I got to see Texas the way I imagined it was like. I was so happy with my bike. It was hot and really windy (although a native said that that was just a breeze yesterday). It was cycling through the farmland that I most felt the presence on my brother Kevin. When I started out on the run the heat was unreal and I had stomach cramps from being in aero position for so long. Then the leg cramps started. I knew I had time so I did more of a power walk than a run. My goal was to finish. A few days before the race Christine Charest Monty reminded me to enjoy my day and I definitely did. The volunteers were indescribible. They were the nicest, most helpful people I have ever met and I took time to thank them. They were only equalled by the cheering crowds. I saw Glen getting out of the swamp - sorry, I meant the swim. I saw Glen and Paul again at the beginning of the third loop of the run and then again running down the chute to the finish line. This time I high fived everyone and I went across that line with a smile on my face and my arms in the air. After congratulations and hugs from Coach Paul, Glen and I came back to the hotel but of course I could not sleep because I was still on an endorphin high. We headed to the finishers tent this morning. It is kind of funny to watch the line of "penguins" waddling side to side heading to the finishers tent. Everyone was feeling the effects of the race. So we are all packed up ready to leave Texas tomorrow morning. I will definitely be back. Maybe not for the ironman, but just because I think Texas just may be my zen place. The various pains have worsened - I chaffed so badly under my arms and my back that I tore off skin and stuck to the bed sheets. Glennie has bandaged me up the best he can. The legs seem to have a mind of their own and are not listening to me. The quads will no longer go down stairs. My back has seized up and I have a raging bladder infection. But none of it matters. I am just so happy with my race - why I did it and how I did it. I could not have down it without all the good wishes and thoughts of my friends but that is my next blog and may be better said in person. See y'all soon. Lisa

It's finally here!!!!

Race day is one more sleep away.


Today we went to the swim start and did a practice swim.  The water is 80.8 so it is a non wet suit race.  I swam about a kilometre and I was fine so my wetsuit is staying at the hotel tomorrow.  The water is not normally swum in and there are no boats or anything allowed so there is ALOT of marine life, algae and it is impossible to see anything in the water but I did see the turtle swim by my head.


We dropped off our bikes at transition - new thing at transition, they photographed every single bike when they were dropped off for security reasons -  and walked back to the hotel in time for a quick shower and to meet with Coach Paul.  He was in disguise this morning - no black, a lime green shirt and plaid shorts - full tourist mode.


I was so happy to see him.  I have been having a great time in Texas with Glennie and Team Texas but I needed Paul here to make everything right.  We walked down to transition and I dropped off my bike and run transition bags.  we talked about my strategy for the race and walked thru every aspect of the race from start to finish. I am so ready for my race and I hope my stars all align tomorrow and make it a good day for me.


After parting from Paul, Glen and I headed down to the expo to see Chrissie Wellington.  I met her at the book signing and she is so gracious and warm.  Glen took a great picture of the two of us.


After a late lunch, I had a two hour nap and then our for a lovely supper with Team Texas.  Michelle's sister Kim and her friend Dawn have arrived to cheer us on so we are now a party of 8.


Glen and I are just relaxing now because that 4:00 a.m. wake up call is going to come pretty early.  Coach Paul is meeting me and we are walking down to the swim start together.  I remember standing with Paul at my first try a try in Guelph years ago and him pushing me in the water because I was so afraid of the swim.  


Paul said one thing to be careful of tomorrow is not letting my mind wander and getting emotional which will be a hard thing for me.  I know my thoughts will be on my brother Kevin - I know he is always with me - but with doing the fundraiser and everything, I have put a lot of pressure on myself to do well.  If Kevin were alive, I think he would probably be here in Texas with me.  I talked to my Mom tonight and she is so proud of me and for doing this fundraiser in Kevin's name. 


Tomorrow will be what it is supposed to be.  The next time I post on my blog I plan on being an Ironman Texas finisher.


Thanks again for all the support and kind words that I have received.  It means so much.


Lisa

Hey y'all I absolutely love Texas. We arrived on Tuesday morning - flew from Buffalo to Cleveland and on to Houston. We are staying at the host hotel for Ironman Texas - The Woodlands Marriott Hotel and Convention Centre. The hotel and surrounding areas are gorgeous. We are about a 2 minute walk to the athlete registration and expo. When we arrived - Glen, Carolyn Senechal and I, we met up with the rest of Team Texas - Shawn Reid, Michelle Peacock, and Kevin Burke. Registration was so well organized we were in and registered in about 10 minutes and off to the expo which was huge. We got the best swag ever - a beautiful triathlon bag. One of the first things we noticed about Texas is that EVERYONE is so nice and friendly. You would think they were Canadian. When we returned to the hotel, our bikes had been delivered and that was one less worry. We took some time off on Tuesday afternoon from our vigourous schedule of registering and shopping and hit the hotel pool for some leisure swimming and soaking up the sun. And it is hot here. Everyday it has been 90 degrees. I have been very careful with my sunscreen. Even with a layer of 100 SPF and a layer of 85 SPF this morning I got a little pink during a 30 minute run. Today we hopped on our bikes to ensure they had survived the shipment to Texas and all was in good working order. Good thing we did. Within about 20 feet, Shawn's back tire blew. We cycled down to the transition area for the bike and run. Part of the swim is in a canal which is filled with turtles - huge turtles- and koi and tons of other marine life. Needless to say, the water is not the pristine water of Lake Placid or Penticton more like the swim at Musselman. We then cycled down to the swim start which is about a 30 minute walk from the bike/run transition. The water is 78 so wetsuits are still being allowed but you have to start 10 minutes after everyone else. I still have not made a decision whether I am wearing mine or not but am leaning towards wearing it. After seeing the marine life and the size of the snapping turtles I need all the protection I can get and I like the comfort of my wetsuit. Tonight we are packing our transition and special needs bags and droop ping them and our bikes off tomorrow. Coach Paul has arrived and is meeting with me tomorrow morning to discuss race strategy and to make sure my head is in the right place. But like I said, I love Texas! The area we are staying in seems devoid of horses and cowboys but there is definitely a lot of money. Porches, Bentleys, and tons of Mercedes. I have not given up hope of finding a cowboy yet. I am missing my kids horribly but talk to them everyday and they are surviving without me. Am having lots of laughs with Team Texas and am looking forward to the race. Lisa

Kevin

Ironman Texas is but 9 short days away.  I have gone through most of the stages that you normally do before ironman - paranoia, emotional, panic, and have settled into fear right now.  


Making the arrangements for Texas have been difficult.  It is extremely hard to find someone to care for my son Tavis. Because he is not verbal or mobile, he requires a special someone to care for him.  My babysitter backed out about a month before ironman and my backup babysitter backed out about 2 weeks ago so full blown panic set in.  It looked like Glen was going to have to stay home to care for Tavis and I was going to have to go to Texas alone - with my friends Shawn, Michelle and Carolyn, and Coach Paul of course.  As you are all aware, Glen is my rock - he keeps me sane which is a full time job.  In addition to all that he does for me throughout my training, he takes extremely good care of me the days prior to and after Ironman.  He takes care of all of the little details so I can focus on the race.  The thought of going to Texas without him had me nearly hysterical.


Luckily, with a call to Grandview, they found someone who could stay with Tavis while we are away.  Ethan is heading to his grandfathers and Tavis is going to be able to stay in our home where he is most comfortable and to continue his usual schedule.  


So all is in place.  Flights booked, hotels booked, training done.


So I thought I would talk a bit about my other ironman besides Tavis, my brother Kevin.


First, some family history.


I was originally 1 of 3 children.  I was the youngest, then sister Kim, and Kevin was the oldest.  When I was 4, Kim 5, and Kevin 6, our father was killed in a car accident driving to work.  My mom was 23.


After Dad's death my mom held down two jobs - she worked in a canning factory during the day and a nursing home at night.   


We were raised on a farm outside of Sarnia.  As kids, I was the pesky little sister that followed Kevin all over the place and he was okay with that.  I had to do everything he did.  When Kev lost his first tooth, I remember my Dad pretending to pull one of mine out as well because I wanted to be just like Kevin.


Four years after my Dad's death, my Mom remarried my stepdad.  My stepdad has never been that, he is my father.  I have memories of my biological father but my Dad has been there since I was 8 years old.  Dad came to the marriage with 3 kids of his own and he and my Mom had another one between them - our own version of the Brady Bunch.


We had a Norman Rockwell kind of upbringing and I would not have changed anything.


Kevin and I remained close throughout the years even after we both got married.  He and I were very similar in temperament, including having nasty tempers.  He helped me financially through university and I, in turn, repaid him by helping out his kids.  

He was the epitome of what an older brother should be.  He loved me unconditionally but when I was in the wrong, he pulled no punches.

About 7 years ago at Xmas, Kev was really thin and my Mom said he had not been feeling well and was having some testing done.  Now my brother never went to a doctor.  He had a pain in his side a few years before that and thought it would just go away.  It wasn't until his appendix actually burst that he thought it might be a good idea to go to the hospital. 

Kevin was put on the emergency list for a colonoscopy but still had to wait 3 months.  I remember his call one night at my home in Whitby.  He wanted to call me first because I was his youngest sibling.  Colon cancer.  I remember screaming “no” repeatedly at him on the phone.  My family tends to shield alot from me because they think I have enough on my plate taking care of Tavis.  Kev just let me cry it out and then told me not to worry that he was going to beat the cancer and he would be fine.  I held him at his word.  I did not speak to my brother for about 4 months after that call because I could not deal with him having cancer – the thought of living my life without my brother was overwhelming. 

For years I watched my brother battle against a demon he could not defeat.  The cancer would disappear in one spot, only to reappear in another.  Through it all Kevin maintained his dignity and grace.  He continued to farm - to plants his crops every spring and harvest them in the fall.  Every morning and evening he went out to feed his cattle.  He even drove other cancer patients to chemotherapy when they were too sick to do so.  When you asked him how he was, he was always “fine”.  He expected sympathy from no one and continued on his life as if the cancer was merely an inconvenience.

5 years later after 3 years of chemotherapy, 5 weeks of radiation and 8 major surgeries my brother Kevin lost his battle with cancer and passed away at home on September 25^th, 2010.  My mom says to this day, she is not sure who was more surprised that Kevin did not beat the cancer - me or him.  It really had never occurred to me that Kev would not make it.

The year following Kev's death is a bit of a blur to me.  There are months and events that I don't remember.  I said to my friend Michelle Barrett the other night when we were running that for 6 months after Kev died I could not take a deep breathe because it hurt too much.  I have had to learn to live without Kevin and it has been a long and ongoing process.  Every birthday, every holiday, every Xmas it is like ripping a bandage off a wound.

I see Kevin everyday in my son Tavis.  Tav resembles his uncle with his big blue eyes and his funny patch of white hair at the back of his head that Kevin had when he was younger.  But mostly I see Kevin in the way that Tavis tackles life.  He has Kevin's toughness and perseverance.


Ironman Texas will be very special to me no matter what happens.  Kev went to Texas a few years before he got really sick and loved it.  I know Kev will be with me in Texas every step of the way - he really will - I have a tattoo of him on my back. :)


Lisa

Countdown begins

Ironman Texas is less than a month away and there does not seem to be enough hours in the day to get everything done.  I have gone down to working 4 days a week until ironman in order to have one day to be a wife/mother and do the cleaning and grocery shopping.  That was my plan.  So far my days off have been filled with appointments and everything but cleaning and grocery shopping.  Of course, amazing husband Glen has stepped in to take care of all the household matters so I can concentrate on my training. 

Tavis and I have been especially busy filming two shows for Roger's TV, the second of which airs on Thursday, April 26th, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. on Channel 10.  In addition, I had a photo shoot with Whitby this Week this past weekend.  I wanted to say a special thanks to Kim Gracie who has been instrumental in making the arrangements for all the publicity for my fundraiser.

If you missed Tavis and I on Rogers "Daytime", this is the link to watch the program.

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xqbtdp_lisa-and-tavis-interview_lifestyle

As promised, this is my list of things I have gained by doing triathlons:

1.  The ability to open my own jars of pickles.  The Popeye arms do come in handy.

2.  Numerous scars and war wounds.  The crash in Geneva, NY left some doozers but they just make for great stories.  People are really impressed by scars.

3.  I have cut down on nail polish since I never have 10 toenails at one time.  I usually have 7 or 8 but not a full set.

4.  Great health and a butt you can bounce a quarter off.  Due to the guidance of Christine Charest-Monty, I have learned what my body needs and how much it needs.  My first half ironman I had one sports gel, 1 bottle of water, half a power bar and a coke.  I have definitely learned alot about nutrition over the years. Chris has helped me lose weight over the years but keep my muscle.  I have perfect blood pressure and cholesterol and am in really good health.  

5.  Travel.  Coming from a rural family, travel is not something you do - there are always crops to be planted and harvested, cattle to be fed, etc.  It is very hard to get away from a farm.  

6.  A well stocked medicine cabinet - pain killers, muscle relaxants, A535, immodium, band aids, polysporin, etc.

7.  An entire spandex wardrobe.

8.  The most amazing friends ever - the kind of people who make you laugh, always have a shoulder you can cry on,  are always available to listen, and can keep you smiling after 7 hours on your bike.  This is the best thing that I have gotten out of doing triathlons.

My next blog will probably be about my brother Kevin, in whose memory I am doing Ironman Texas.  This one will be a tough one for me.  As the race draws closer, Kev is always on my mind and I wish he were here to see the ironman.  He would think it was total insanity but he would also be so proud of me.

Today's picture is me and Tavis on Saturday at the Whitby Recreation Centre. This was following my 7 hour trainer ride so I am looking a little beat.  Tavis looks amazing as usual.

Lisa

I cannot believe that it has been nearly a months since my last blog.  I have honestly sat down so many times to write my blog but something always pops up.

A lot has happened in the last month.  I did Around the Bay at the end of March under sunny warm skies which was a first for this race I think.  I have done the race in snow, rain and freezing cold.  I was using the race as a training run for Ironman Texas and still managed to get a personal best time.

Training is in its final stages – Ironman Texas is only 5 weeks away.  Last weekend my bike was 6 ¼ hours and my run 32 kms.  This weekend, I will be on my bike for 6 ½ hours with a 34 kms run.  The body is holding up really well - it has become a mental game at this stage. Even though I watch movies while I spin and I chat to people, 6 hours on a trainer is a long time and it takes its toll. When you are outside riding your bike, the bike moves with you – indoors on a trainer, it does not and certain parts get awfully sore and chafed no matter how much butt butter you apply.  I find the last hour to be mind over matter.  I usually call home for a little support from Glen to get through that last stretch.

My long runs are my sanity break.  I am not someone who likes to run on a treadmill and I have been so fortunate training for Texas with the mild winter.  I can only recall one really cold Tuesday night run with the girls which necessitated the need for balaclavas.  

So running is going well, biking is going well – unfortunately, there is that third sport in triathlons - the dreaded swim.   I am not a swimmer – I usually look like I am drowning when I swim.  Coach Paul and I met last week to review my swim.  I was adamant that my left arm was straight down and that I was kicking with my legs together.  I had to eat my words when Paul taped me and showed me the video.  It was not pretty.  Paul says my problem is that I am strong and I know I can swim the 4 kms so I am not worried about how ugly it looks.  But I am also unnecessarily tiring myself out so I have been focusing on my technique in the swim and the fact that I don’t have any. 

Today’s picture is my Ironman Lake Placid tattoo designed for me by good friend Susan Typert.  The koi represent a number of things including good fortune or luck; Symbolic in the Buddhism to represent courage. Humans "swim" through the "ocean of suffering" without fear, just like a fish swims through water; and the Koi is symbolic with family.   My tattoo represents my struggle in the water.  Susan designed the adult koi in the ying yang position to represent me and my husband Glen who is my support system and the little koi are my twins Tavis and Ethan.

Next blog I will fulfill my promise to list what I have gained from doing triathlons.

Tomorrow Tavis and I will be appearing live on Rogers “Daytime” at 11:00 a.m. to talk about Ironman Texas and my fundraising for Grandview Children’s Centre so if you are around, tune it.  I am not so much worried about what Tavis will do because he is unpredictable and you just have to roll with the punches.  I am more worried about myself because I don’t seem to have a filter from brain to mouth. 

Wish me luck.

What I have given up to do triathlons

What I have given up to do triathlons:

1.   Early retirement – I am on the Freedom 85 plan now.  You would think that once you own your bike and a wet suit you are good to go.  Not quite.  My friend Elaine figured out what it cost her to train for Ironman Lake Placid in 2011.  Now Elaine drove to Lake Placid so there was no airfare and she stayed at a campsite so her accommodations were not as expensive as a hotel but it still equated to nearly $9,000.00.  This includes the additional classes (spin, swimming), increased visits for chiropractor, massage, coaching fees, ironman registration, apparel – running shoes, bike shoes, helmet, etc.  It is not an inexpensive sport.

2.   Stilettos – now this really hurts.  Being a statuesque 5’3”, I really rely on my heels.  I really love those babies but because I put on alot of muscle training for ironman, from behind in anything over a 2” heel I look like a cross dresser or transvestite.  I followed someone in the underground last year with a short skirt and very defined calves and thought to myself that they must work out alot.  When he turned around, I saw the adam’s apple.  It is not just my imagination either.  When I was in Florida this year, I put on a pair of 5” stilettos to prove my point and Patty and Karen nearly wet themselves laughing.  Patty even took pictures. 

3.   Tall boots – see no. 2.  My calves get so big that I can’t zip my boots up anymore.

4.   Cap sleeves – Once again, not just my legs bulk up training for ironman.  I get what my friend Michelle calls “Popeye Arms” and I can’t get my arms through any blouses that have cap sleeves or any shirt from Suzy Shears.  There is that ominous ripping sound and I know it is no sleeves until after ironman.

5.   Snowboarding – Having duck’s disease (my ass is too close to the ground), I have a low centre of gravity and am quite a good snowboarder much to the amazement of my son Ethan.  Last year, I did not heed Coach Paul’s advice and I went snowboarding.  Well I hit a patch of ice and dropped right onto to my ass.  Despite ample padding I nearly broke my tailbone and was off training for over a month.  I could barely walk for 2 weeks.  Coach Paul said definitely no snowboarding this year.  He said after May 19^th, 2012 (Ironman Texas), I can snowboard as much as I want. In that respect, I am not too bothered by the mild winter this year.

6.    Lifting – It is funny when people know you are an ironman because then they assume you just walk around lifting cars for the hell of it.  Personally, I don’t.  I have had a weak back for about 30 years.  In addition to duck’s disease, I have small dog syndrome.  In my mind, I am 6’3” and can carry my own body weight.  In reality I lift stuff way too heavy for me and I pay the price.  For 22 years I have hauled boxes of documents around at my office and for the last 13 years I have carried my son.  Not lifting my son Tavis for me is like not having my morning coffee.  I have trouble functioning without it.  I have carried that little guy around since birth and to not be able to lift him now breaks my heart.  But I do compensate.  I lie on the floor with him and watch movies, I dance with him in his wheelchair, and I crawl into bed with him at night to talk and listen to his books on tape.

7.   Vacuuming – yahoo.  See no. 6.

8.   Gardening – See no. 6

Next blog read about what I have gained by doing triathlons.

Lisa

Well Monday is here again.  I am at that stage of my training where the weekends go by so quickly that I don't feel like I actually had one.

Saturday morning I was on my bike at the Whitby Rec Centre for 5 1/2 hours.  Mentally and physically, it was a tough one.  It was hard to get back on my stationary bike after cycling in Florida for a week.  I watched "The Sentinel" and another mystery that I can't remember right now.  Ron stopped in for a chat after his spin class as well as Elaine.  My new little buddy Laura stopped for a visit on her way to swim class - she was worried because I was not there last week - so she filled me in on what was happening with her.  For about a 4 year old child, she has an astounding vocabulary and she likes to use it.

Sunday was my long run.  I am training for Around the Bay at the end of March so my mileage was 26 kms.  Next Sunday I will do 28 and then finally 30 kms the day of the race.  I do not get a taper week because Ironman Texas is looming about 9 weeks away.

We started out with 4 - Susan, Elaine, Christine and myself.  Christine and Elaine are both limited right now by injuries.  Chris did the first 10 kms with us, and Elaine did 20.  We loop back to Chateau Typert because there is always nutrition available and we can fill up our water bottles.  The last 6 kms Sue and I were on our own but as the two of us are distance/direction challenged we ended up putting in another 8 kms instead of 6 and then it was hot tub time.  It was a gorgeous day and so nice to not have to run in the snow.

Sue and I have learned that we need to do our long runs together.  I am amazed by my friend John who goes out on Sundays and does his long runs/walks all on his own. I don't have the mental strength to do that.   Sue and I are social people with limited attention spans and I seriously cannot keep myself amused for 3 hours while I am out running, even with my i-pod.

Then it was into Mom mode and I hit the grocery store on the way home.  I sat down for a minute and got caught up watching the "Hoarders" marathon.  That always inspires me to knock the big lumps off from my own house.  So I puttered and cleaned for a while, laid on the floor and watched "Tigger" with Tavis, and actually finished unpacking my bag from Florida.

So its Monday again and I am on my trainer tonight and in the pool.  I have learned that the trick is to never sit down.  Once I sit, I am done for.  I thought I would have some time to relax after Ironman Texas but for some odd reason I signed up for the Mont Tremblant half ironman 5 weeks after I get back.  Okay, I am going to have to push my relaxation time to July.

Still alive and training

Well, I certainly have been a little remiss in posting to my blog.  In my defence, my training days are getting longer and I was in Florida last week.

My week in Florida was great.  I was training at the National Training Centre in Clermont, about 30 minutes outside of Orlando.  It was the third week of Coach Paul's camp and only Karen Charpentier and I were there that week.

It was a fabulous training week.  With the indoor bike training, it is difficult to guess if you are training hard enough - I am putting in the ass time on my bike and I know I am pushing myself but will it be enough.  I was glad to get outside on my bike.  I cycled the Green Swamp trail, around Lake Minneola and through the state park.  Everyday we swam in the pool at the NTC and the pool is amazing.  We also did weights most days at the NTC.  The week gave Coach Paul and I an idea of where I am in my training and what I need to work on before Ironman Texas.  The weather was gorgeous and the training was hard.

By about Wednesday, I was missing my boys - especially Tavis.  The twins are 13 now and Ethan sees me as the ATM machine and taxi cab service.  But my Tav Man, he is still my biggest fan.  He does not understand why I am gone away, he just knows I am not there.  I talked to him a couple times on the phone but I still missed him desperately.  Tav came to the airport to get me and held my hand all the way home.  I think he thought I was going to leave him again.

Last night was my monthly weigh in and I lost 8 lbs including two more lbs of body fat.  I have the guidance of my friend and nutritionist Christine to thank for that. 

Saturday night was snooker night for some of the triathletes and I was overjoyed to see my friends Shawn and Michelle there who are doing Ironman Texas as well.  They are two of the most entertaining people I have ever met and I know we are going to have a blast in Texas.

Lisa

3 Months and Counting

As of February 19th, 2012, Ironman Texas is 3 months away.  This week has been a balancing act between trying to get my training done and celebrating my twins' birthdays.  Ethan and Tavis officially became teenagers on February 15th and I have no idea where the time has gone.  Each year to celebrate the twins birthday, we head back to the farm and spend a couple days with my family.  My family farms outside of Sarnia in a small rural area known as Oil Springs which is the site of the first commercial oil well in North America - that is my history lesson for today.  

Tuesday night I was running with my girls - Michelle (sporting her cruise tan), Sue and Elaine.  Sue is training in Florida this week and Elaine is injured so it is just down to Michelle and I.  

Wednesday was spin class with Clint leading the pack.  Christine and Paul were both in Florida.

I headed home to my family's on Friday morning.  Its odd that after living in London and then Whitby for the last 26 years, that I still consider my parents home.  Travelling for us is a huge undertaking.  Flame and Rukus have to be dropped off at the boarders.  Tavis cannot travel without his music and his snacks.  Tavis, although he is 13 years old, only weighs 50 lbs and he eats like a trucker.  It is my job on the way home to just keep popping food in his mouth much like a slot machine.  Ethan unfortunately gets motion sickness and is a barfer so he has been moved to the front of the van.  So the suitcases get loaded, then the sleeping bags, then Tav's cooler of food, then the wheelchair and finally us.

On Saturday night we had the twins' party and they got spoiled as usual.  On Sunday, I had my long run.  I am training for Around the Bay even though I retired from that race a couple years ago.  My long run was 26 kms which was an out and back between my brother Brian's farm and my parents.  Running in the rural area where my family lives is a whole different kind of running.  There is the element of danger - farm dogs and coyotes, the gravel roads which hinder you trying to sprint away from said farm dogs and coyotes, no telephone service in certain areas so if you do get caught by farm dogs or coyotes, you can't call for help, the fact that 90% of my run was done on gravel roads rutted from tractors and school buses, and the fact that some farmers have already started spreading manure which in some spots sucked the air right out of my lungs.  

In addition, you have to deal with the farmers that don't understand that you are out there running because you want to, not because your car broke down, not because something is chasing you, and not because you are lost.

Clever girl that I am, I sent my mom home with dry clothes and at the 13km turn around at my parents I changed into some dry clothes, had a coffee and protein bar with Mom and Dad and headed back to my brother's farm.  It was cold and damp on Sunday but I had a really good run.  Farm dogs were friendly, mild winter has kept the coyotes in the woods, and it was so quiet and peaceful that you could not help but enjoy yourself.

On Family Day we headed back to Whitby which is always bittersweet for me. I miss the calm of rural life and I miss my family.  I stopped at the cemetery on my way back to talk to Kevin.  The sun was shining and it was warm - just the kind of day that Kevin would have loved.  I told him that the next time I was home I would bring him my finishers medal from Ironman Texas.  I think he would like that.

Today's picture is my first try a tri in Guelph with Glen and Ethan in 2005.

Solid Training Weekend

I see that as my training goes up, my postings to my blog go down. :)

Saturday morning I headed to the gym for my trainer ride a few minutes late - I think I may have shipped all my cycling shorts to Florida with Paul because I could not find any.  In any event, I was 4 1/2 hours on my bike and it was a struggle mentally and physically.  I watched "Untraceable" with Diane Lane, and "Crank" with Jason Statham.  Nothing like alot of blood, guts and gore first thing in the morning.  I could not get my heart rate up (even watching Jason Statham) and focused instead on keeping my cadence at 90.  Training indoors on my bike is difficult.  I like being outside where at least the scenery changes and outdoor riding is alot easier on the back and girl parts than trainer riding.

Coach Paul texted me from Florida to tell me how nice it was there.  Ron stopped in for a chat after Monster Endurance spin class and my friend Hugh who I had not seen in a long time limped over for a chat.  Hugh and his wife Gisele have always been two of the most amazing people I have met doing triathlons.  Hugh is waiting for a hip replacement but was still at the gym working out.  I know that having his hip replaced is only going to slow him down temporarily.

Sunday was my long run.  My friend Sue and I headed out about noon for our 22 km run.  One thing Sue and I have in common is that we are always cold so we looked like we were wearing all the running clothes we own when we headed out.  2 pairs of running pants, 2 shirts, coats, mitts, balaclavas, and hats.   Sue calls this her "mama is coming home with a plasma tv" running outfit. 

Running was not easy especially since we had so many clothes on it was hard to bend our knees.  The sidewalks were not shovelled and it was like running in sand.  I did take a tumble running down Rossland Road.  We could not really tell where the sidewalks were and I tripped off the edge of the sidewalk and did a "penguin slide" much to Sue's amusement.  I jumped back up and did inventory as I was running and everything seemed be working okay.  

Now Sue and I have trained together for years and she is well aware of my perpensity to fall - either off my bike or while running.  Its not that I am unco-ordinated, I just don't pay attention.  I am always looking at the scenery or shirtless guys.  One time in Muskoka I fell going uphill because I was looking at the trees or something and Sue and John and a number of my friends just went around me like a line of ants and kept riding.  A motorist actually stopped to see if I was okay - he must of thought I had the cruelest friends ever.  Paul was at the top of the hill and had heard that I had fallen (again) and asked if I was okay.  Sue informed him that I was fine because I was yelling obscentities at them as they cycled past.

Back to our Sunday run.  We did a 15 km loop, ran into Sue's house to rehydrate and grab half a bagel and then we headed out again.  The last few kilometres were tough but we got it done.  It was cold that day and when we started to strip at Sue's house for our dip in the hot tub, I realized that one of my braids had frozen to my balaclava and we had to wait for it to thaw a bit before I could pry it off.  We decided that Sunday's run was definitely a character building run.

Training for Texas is going well.  Last week I dropped 5 lbs (probably when I fell on my face on Rossland) and I am feeling strong.  There are more good training days than bad and I just keep at it.

To my friends, Jeff Drinkle and Liz Valiant, who both had a trying training week this past week, I hope I have said all the right things to keep you motivated and moving forward.  I am secretly amused though because you are two of the toughest, most motivated people I know doing traithlons and your success this season is a forgone conclusion. 

Happy Valentines Day.

Lisa

Training Continues

The back pain continued for most of last week but I hit spin class on Wednesday night and did my 10 km run on Thursday night.  I have to say that this has been a great winter for running.  I am not much of a treamill runner and enjoy putting my mileage in outside.

Saturday morning found me back on my bike spinning for 4 hrs 15 mins.  Some of my regulars stopped by - Coach Paul and my little swimmer friend - and some new people stopped by for a chat - Jack from the Running Room, Michelle Barrett and Fireman Rick.  It certainly breaks up the monotony of the ride when people stop by.  I also saw one of my son Ethan's friend's father who is doing his first ironman in November in Florida.

Then it was a dash home to have a quick bite to eat, grab my son Ethan and my Specialized bike.  The bike had to be dropped off at Coach Paul's for its trip to Florida and Ethan had to be dropped off at the Whiby Rec Centre for a birthday party.  I then headed to Durham Swimwear to grab a new swimsuit and a cap.  My Monday night swimsuit is about 3 years old and was headed for a wardrobe malfunction.

Sunday saw me have a relaxing lunch with the other members of Team Texas - Shawn Reid, Michelle Peacock and Carolyn Senechal.  We talked about our how our training was going and what arrangements still needed to be made with respect to our flights and our bike transport.  We had alot of laughs and are so looking forward to Texas.

Tonight I am back on my bike for an hour and then swim class with Christine in charge.  Christine is just as tough on us as Paul and shows no mercy.  At least I will look like I know what I am doing in my new swimsuit.  Ethan kindly says that I swim like a rock.

Lisa

Small Hiccup

Well I have developed a small hiccup in my training for Ironman Texas.

On the weekends as my hours on my bike increase as well as my mileage for my long runs, I see less and less of my family - my hubby Glen and my twins Tavis and Ethan.  Now Glen is pretty sef sufficient so him I don't worry about.  Ethan and Tavs are turning 13 years old in a couple weeks so Ethan no longer wants to be seen with me anyhow.  He is glued to his computer or his xbox and barely notices if I am at home or not.

Tavis, although he understands everything that is said to him, sometimes doesn't comprehend what he is being told.  All Tavis knows is that he doesn't see me or hear me and he misses me.  I think I miss him more.  He is a major snuggle bunny and I always have a towel handy for his open mouth kisses that can soak your entire face.  When I have had the worse day at the office or a terrible run, Tavis's smile can cheer me up in an instance.  He is incredibly silly and has an infectious laugh which is irresistible.

Monday morning I decided to carry Tavis from the car into daycare because I felt I had not spent enough time with him over the weekend and wanted to get in a snuggle before work  - very bad decision on my part.  Tav is getting heavier and I am getting older and have had back problems for years.  Well another mother stopped to talk to me and then when I got into the daycare I had to wrestle out my own chair from under the table and it was too much for my back.  Walking out to the car, I told my husband that something had snapped in my back.

Luckily Dr. Jason squeezed me in for an adjustment that night but suggested maybe I should take the night off training.  My back hurt worse after the adjustment but that is common. 

Last night I had a good run with my Tuesday night chicks and soaked in the hot tub afterwards and no back pain at all until midnight.  And it returned with a vengeance.  Needless to say I could not talk my body into my 5:30 a.m. swim class.

Things like this are going to happen.  I am not happy about missing my swim class but to go and swim while I am in so much pain is not a good idea either.  I have learned the hard way to listen to my body and my coach.  In the long run, it pays off to maybe miss a class as opposed to injuring myself further and precipitating a longer recovery time.  My Tuesday night running buddy Christine is learning herself right now.

We ask so much of our bodies training for an ironman, we need to take care of it.  Feed it when it is hungry, hyrdrate it when it is thirsty and listen to it when it tells us that it needs a bit of a break.

Lisa

Good Training Weekend

Hey All

Had a great training weekend.  Saturday morning saw me on my bike at 7:00 a.m. for 4 hours.  My trainer buddy stopped to tell me he bought a kinetic trainer like mine.  My new little girl friend stopped by to say hi and to tell me she got a new "big girl" bed with a white blanket and an elderly gentleman enquired if I had gone 100 kms yet.  Even the maintenance guys are getting in on the act.  When I had 7 minutes left to ride, he told me not to hurry - that the gym stayed open until 4:00 p.m.

I was worried when I did not see Ron but eventually I heard a knock on the glass and there was Ron waving hello.  Coach Paul stopped in as usual to see how I was doing and to drop off my cycling program for next Saturday. 

Sunday saw me running 20 kms with Elaine Darling and Liz Valiant.  Now my schedule said 14 kms but I had run 16 the week before and felt I was up for it.  Sunday's run with these two chicks was one of the best I have ever had and is going to be firming entrenched in my memory for those days that my run sucks.  The pace was perfect, the weather was great, and the company was outstanding.  The kilometres flew by and before I knew it we were turning around.  Since we are all training for Around the Bay, Elaine save some hills for us at the very end of our run.

Tonight I am back on my bike for an hour and then in the pool at 9:00 p.m.  This week is expecially busy for me because I need to get my bike in for a fitting and tune up before it jumps in Coach Paul's trainer for its trip to Florida.

Later, Lisa

Down can be Good

Weigh in last night went really well.  Body fat percentage - down 2.5%; lbs of fat lost - 3.5; litres of water - up 2; and lean muscle gained - .5 lbs.  So I was pretty happy and was really pleased that my friend Jeff Drinkle was very successful last night as well.

In the pool this morning at 5:30 a.m. for Paul's swim class and then continued on after class to get my long swim in.  Paul watched me for a while and came over and told me I should take no longer than 27 strokes to get from one end of the pool to the other.  I was consistently taking 29.  I am never sure if Paul takes into consideration that I am stumpy limbed person.  While I would like to have the arm span of my friend Colin, I can't see it happening.

Off to bike class tonight.  I have had to take time out of my triathlon training schedule this week to be Mom.  Ethan, who is never sick, has been down with a viral infection since Sunday and no matter how old they get, they become momma's boys when they are sick.  Occasionally life is going to get in the way and we have to take this into stride - until I turn pro.  :)

Lisa

A Solid Week of Training

Hey all:

Last week was a good solid week of training.  Everything came together and I was happy without how things went.  I felt strong on my bike on Monday, Wednsday and Saturday and in the pool on Monday and Wednesday.  On Sunday my long run was challenging in that I ran with a faster group of people.

Saturday morning I was on my bike at the Whitby Rec by 7:15 a.m.  I had anticipated arriving earlier but was not aware that it had snowed until I went out to leave.  I did not take into consideration the extra time needed to clean off my van.  Who am I kidding - Glen does this for me anyhow.  But on Saturday I let him sleep in and I did it myself.

My Saturday bike this week was 3:45.  I finished watching "Million Dollar Baby" and "Red Eye".  I also did the Monster Endurance class from the previous week that Paul had so generously dropped off for me.  :)  My trainer man was back and he told me about what bike shops he had been to and which trainer he was thinking of buying.  Then an older gentleman stopped by and told me he had been watching me for over an hour and I had not gone anywhere.  Everyone is a comedian and when I am on my bike, they have a captive audience.  Ron stopped in to see how I was doing and to talk about that morning's spin class.  And of course, Coach Paul stopped in on his way home to see how my ride was going and to drop off that day's spin class for me to do next Saturday.  

A number of parents taking their children to swim class stopped by to see what I was training for and to hear about my fundraiser.  One little girl in particular just charmed Paul and I.  She wanted her dad to bring her over so she could say hi to the lady on the bike.  During our conversation, she told me she had a "tricycle" just like mine at home.  I supposed since I am pedalling away and going no where it might appear that I am on a tricycle.

Sunday found me running with the Running Room with a faster pace group than what I would usually run.  It is so easy if you are running with the same person year after year to run their pace and not your own.  And you dont have to challenge yourself.  Coach Paul has been drumming this into my head for years.  Since I have been training for Ironman Texas I have kicked my running up a notch.  Tuesday nights I run with Susan, Michelle, Elaine and Christine - all faster runners than me and I am forced to pick up my pace or suffer their taunts and ridicule.  They are a tough love group and don't care if you are tired or hurting.

On Sunday, I ran 16 kms with the 2:00 half marathon group from the Running Room.  The fastest I have ever ran a half marathon is 2:15.  I never thought to ask until about the 10 km mark which group I was in.  Maybe I should have thought of that sooner.  Susan, Elaine and Christine were all part of the group as well.  The thing about these girls is that even though they say they will slow down if you are struggling, they lie.  They are great for encouragement but slowing down is not an option.  I am proud to say that I stayed with the group right to the 16 km mark.  Then collapsed.

Only two odd things happened while training this week.  I continue to swim after my 5:30 a.m. class on Wednesdays to get my long swim in.  After the class there were only about 3 of us in the fast lane.  After being tucked in like sardines in Paul's swim class and coming out unscathed, one of the two guys in the fast lane who swung his arms out to the side punched me right in the hand and jammed three of my fingers.  It stung for awhile but no damage done.

The other odd thing happened at about the 13 km mark of our long run on Sunday.  We were a little pack of 10 women and the pace setter Jack running up Anderson single file.  Most cars are very considerate and move to the left hand lane to give runners a wide birth.  Not so the little chippy in the speeding car with the stereo blaring.  She decided just to come right through without moving at all.  I am not sure she even saw us.  I just heard Jack yell something and saw everyone diving for the grass so I followed suit.  Seriously, it was 10:00 in the morning on a bright sunny day with 11 people wearing various neon colours. 

Tonight is my monthly weigh in and body fat analysis and I am hoping for good numbers again.

Lisa







 

4 Months to Go

Four months from today will find me out on the course at Ironman Texas. 

Today I messaged my friends Shawn, Michelle and Carolyn who will be doing Ironman Texas as well to see if panic had set in.  Now I have known these three for a number of years from the triathlon community and they are a great bunch of people.  And yes, they are as panicked as I am.

I remember training for my first ironman in Lake Placid and it was pure fear training because we (John, Susan and I) did not know what to expect.  We clung together like wet puppies the day of the race.  We were petrified the morning of the race but Coach Paul got us laughing.  I have a really bad habit of either stiking my nose plug on the strap of my swim suit or in the pocket of my tri suit.  Well sure enough, I was completely in my wet suit and I realized the little bulge mid thigh was my nose plug.  I went to take off my wet suit but Paul said no - he could reach down and get it.  Well what followed was a comedy routine straight out of Laurel and Hardy.  Paul would not give up and he rooted around in my wet suit trying to find my nose plug.  I swear I had a more thorough exam than my yearly visit to my gynecologist.  Sue and John were doubled over laughing and other triathletes were standing around wondering what in the world Paul was doing.  He finally admitted defeat and I stripped off my wet suit and grabbed my nose plug.  Thank goodness Patty and her camera were nowhere in sight.

Because Ironman Lake Placid is done in loops I repeated saw friendly faces and that certainly kept me going.  The swim in Texas takes place in a canal.  The run is done in three loops but the bike is one big loop so I will be out there on my own - trying to not fall off my bike and be distracted by cowboys.

In addition to my hubby Glen, I will have Shawn, Michelle and Carolyn for support in Texas.  I am sure I will see them on at least one loop of the run.  Plus I will be taking my own personal cheerleader - Susan Typert - with me to Texas, and of course, Coach Paul, will be making the trek as well.  Both Paul and Sue are able to keep me focused and calm which is a feat in itself.  For my first half ironman in Muskoka, Glen drove me down with my face in a bag barfing and crying.  What that poor man has to put up with.  The morning of the race I was completely calm.

The week before Ironman Penticton, I was a total basket case.  Crying, throwing up, screaming like a crazy woman.  I remember going thru the arch at the Ironman Canada registration and seeing all those triathletes, and my son Ethan put his arm around me and said "you'll be okay now Mom.  You are amongst your people."  Too funny but right.

So I will continue to press on with my training.  Paul will continue to alleviate my fears and I am going to have dinner with my Texas training buddies so we can mutually support each other.

Remember, it takes a village to raise a triathlete.  :)

Lisa

Equilibrium Restored

Hey All:

After my breakdown of last week, I went out Thursday night and had a great 10 km run.  It was one of those times that the weather was good (the rain stopped long enough for me to run), I was not overdressed, which I have a habit of doing, and my pace although not setting any speed records, was such that I felt like I could have run for hours.  These are the days that you remember why you are out there and you need these days to reflect back on because there are those days when you are questioning your sanity and ready to throw in the towel.

Friday night is my night off from training and it is my pizza night with my father-in-law Bill.  My friends know that my Friday nights are sacred and I am not available.  My father-in-law and I have grown closer over the years and although he thinks I might be a little long in the tooth to be doing triathlons, he is always supportive and I call him after each race to let him know that I am okay and how I have done.

Saturday morning saw me back on my bike at the Whitby Rec Centre.  This week the movies were "Awake" and "Million Dollar Baby".  There was also alot of activity going on at the Rec Centre with the start of swim lessons.  I became quite the attraction to small children.  I offered assistance to parent's who could not find the pool and had an indepth discussion with a gentleman who had never seen a trainer before and thought that was the greatest thing ever.

Ron stopped in on his way to the second half of his brick.  Ron accused me of sleeping in on Saturdays and not spinning with the rest of the Monster Class.  I confess, I do get to sleep in until 6:00 a.m. now but I am on my bike and riding by 7:15 at the latest.  Saturday's ride was 3 hours 30 minutes and the time flew by.

Coach Paul stopped in to see me on his way home from Monster Endurance Class and we chatted about a number of things - my upcoming training week in Florida, transportation of my bike, and where my head is these days.  I have learnt over the years that I can tell Paul anything and he can make it better.  And he did, so my head is squarely back where it should be and I am focused on Ironman Texas which is where I need to be right now.

Ironman Texas is 4 months from Thursday, January 19th.  That four months is going to fly by and then 6 weeks after that is the Mont Tremblant Half Ironman (which I still have to tell Glen about).  Yeah, maybe I better do that soon.

Lisa

Keeping it all together

Hey all:

Training for a triathlon, especially an ironman, is a balancing act even on good days.  None of us are pros - we all have jobs, spouses, kids, etc. and on top of that we have to fit in the time to train.  Sometimes it can be overwhelming.  Such was my day yesterday.

Monday night I did weights, jumped on my bike for an hour and then did Paul's advanced swim class.  Tuesday morning I felt like I had been hit by a truck but I met up with my Tuesday night run club for a painful 8 km run. 

Wednesday morning - when I was supposed to be in the pool - I was headed into my office early.  I have worked for the same lawyer for 22 years since I left university.  To say he is demanding is an understatement.  In the 2 years before I was hired, he had gone thru 14 temps.  I am always going 110% at my office.

After another highly stressful day, compiled with guilt over missing my 5:30 a.m. swim class, and my body still aching from the neck down, I went to spin class.  Coach Paul just had to ask me why I wasn't at swim class that morning and the tears started.  I have been panicking about the fact that there are less than 5 months to Texas and pushing my training too hard and the dam just burst.  Poor Paul.   He knows how hard I can be on myself.  He calmed me down and got me back smiling and on my bike.

Some days my life is a juggling act.  If I could clone myself it would be alot easier.  When you are training for a triathlon, you have to be a bit selfish and put yourself first.  It is so hard for me to do and I continually take on more and more responsibility.  My husband Glen says because I am Irish, if I didn't have anything to worry about, I wouldn't be happy.

As a mother, I have the guilt of leaving my children alot and seriously, without my Glen, I would not be able to do triathlons.  I waited around 23 years ago for Glen to ask me out and I finally got tired of waiting and asked him out.  Smartest move I ever made.  The closer to ironman I get, the more responsibility Glen takes on so I can train.  You have to let some things slide.  For me it is housework because I hate it and am loathe to do it anyway.  The month before Texas my house will look like an episode of "Hoarders" without the cat poop and rats.

Some days you just have to take a deep breathe and take a moment to regroup.  I wish I actually practiced what I preach.  Now I just have to worry about the fact that tomorrow is Friday the 13th.

This is a pic of Ethan doing his first Kids of Steel Triathlon when he was 7.  Attitude is everything.

Lisa

I Go It Alone

Hey All.

Well Saturday saw me all alone on my bike at the Whitby Rec Centre.  As my distances are increasing, I can no longer do Coach Paul's Monster Endurance Ride at Legends Centre on Saturday mornings.  Paul has made arrangements for me to ride on the lower level at the Whitby Rec Centre.

I always spin on my Cannondale because, let's face it, I sweat buckets.  My Cannondale has been with me for 7 years - I love it and it got me thru Ironman Lake Placid - but two seasons ago I invested in a new bike - Specialized Transition Expert 2010.  My relationship with my new bike has been a love/hate relationship.  It was not love at first sight like my Cannondale.  My first race with my Specialized, it bucked me off onto my face on the pavement (See previous blog about Musselman).  My Specialized is very small and light and I have not felt the same sense of security as on my Cannondale.  In any event, my Specialized will be doing Texas with me so Paul suggested for my long indoor rides on Saturdays that I ride my Specialized.  On Friday night, I dusted off my Specialized (it lives in my living room) and noticed my soft tires.  To make a long story short - pump, pump, pump, boom.  It was 10:00 at night and I was not in the mood to change the tire so my old faithful Cannondale made the trip with me to the gym Saturday morning.

The staff at the Whitby Rec were great and set up a table for me to put my portable DVD player on and at 7:15 a.m. I was off for my 3:15 hour ride.    The first movie I watched was "Eastern Promises".  Nothing like a little blood, guts and gore to get you motivated first thing in the morning.  When I do my long trainer rides, my rides are based on time and heartrate.  Watching Viggo Mortenson in the naked knife fight in the sauna kept my heart rate right up there. 

I then moved to "Run Fat Boy Run" which is a hilarious movie about a guy that trains for three weeks for a marathon in England.  The only person I know who could actually pull this out of their butt is my friend Sue Typert.

About the 2:30 mark, Paul and Christine stopped in for a visit and to see how I was doing.  They told me about the "oatmeal" ride at Monster Endurance Class and then I did not feel so bad about not being there. :)  I miss seeing everyone but I will still be at Wednesday's class.

Lisa

2012 The Serious Training Begins

Happy New Year!!

Not that my Christmas and New Year's were not great, but I am glad the holiday season is over and I can get back into my training schedule.  With the travelling to my family's - just outside of Sarnia - it creates some problems trying to get all my training fit in and also, resisting my mother's cooking.  Seriously!  Do I look like I am starving?

I absolutely love going home to my parents because they live quite a distance out in a rural area.  It is a totally different way of life and so relaxing.  On any given day, you are lucky if even 3 cars drive by my parent's.  I stopped on my way to my parent's at the cemetary and left a cow ornament for my brother Kevin.  It had become a joke over the years between us and every year I bought a new cow ornament for his tree.

But the time for relaxation is over.  Ironman Texas is less than 5 months away and my training for Texas has kicked up this month.  On New Year's Day I did the Resolution Run with my son Ethan.  I think this is probably the last time I will be able to beat him.  In the last year, he has shot past me in height and I think my days are numbered.


Monday night I was on my bike for an hour and then in the pool for Paul's triathlon specific class.  Paul showed no mercy to anyone who might have partaken of too many Xmas treats and put us through our paces.  The swim has never been one of my strengths and I have to constantly work at it.

Last night I braved the cold with my Tuesday night run club for a brisk 8 km run.  All that was visible was our eyes.  After a relaxing soak in Sue's hot tub, I headed home. 

5:00 a.m. came early this morning and I was in the pool once again for Paul's swim class at 5:30.  Still no mercy.  Because I have long distance swims now, I stayed in the pool for another 45 minutes and did lengths.  Paul stuck around for a while to see how I was doing and offer some pointers. 

Tonight is the first Wednesday night spin class of the year.  Because my distance are increasing for everything, I will no longer be up at the front of the Saturday morning spin class with Christine.  I will be spinning on my own at the Whitby Rec Centre.  There are benefits in that I don't have to drive so far but on the down side, I will miss seeing everyone.  Anyone who wants to stop in, I will be on the lower floor behind the plant - please bring coffee. :)

Lisa