Turkey Dig

This online extension is pretty funny, too.

Okay. Time for me to get back to work.

Woman vs. Turkey

I’ve spent most of today at work planning around Holiday campaigns and it got me thinking of one of my favorite commercials of all time. I actually brought this up in one of our meetings and I don’t know that anyone knew what I was talking about.

This ad cracks me up. Since I’m knee deep in Thansgiving today, here’s a little for you…

She’s home and her name is Dora.

We just got home from Missouri/Iowa. There’s probably a whole story to tell, but the nitty-gritty is that she’s super timid. Probably was a puppy mill dog. She apprehensive of us humans, but already adores Sienna and is following her EVERY WHERE. This is making our lives 100% easier to get her to come in the house, to go outside to potty, etc.



She’s 8 months. She’s SUPER tiny. Way smaller than I’d ever expected. But her ears and feet and back haunches are bigger so we’re thinking it might just be malnutrition from where ever she came from before Rescue got her. Our hope is that once we start feeding her, she’ll bulk up. It’s funny, though, she’s like a total Mini Me of Sienna.



This is going to be a lot of work. She needs to be socialized to humans. She needs to learn how to walk on a leash and go up steps. But I think she’s a sweet heart and we’re up for the challenge.



Welcome, Dora, to our home.

Scrawny Cyclist Fighting

Tee Hee.

Betty Crocker Cake Decorating – part one

The Panda Cake is my favorite part of this. We still have the recipe on our Web site. Of course, I’m suddenly feeling old. Since when did 1988 seem so retro and dated? Could just as well be 1968…

You Sweet Talker, Betty Crocker

Betty Crocker Commercial (1985)

I love the Olympics!

My sweet Olympic video

SORT 2008 - Race Report part II, the race itself

It’s a beautiful morning and I’m sitting on my deck with my coffee. The temperature is perfect. James just took off for a century ride with some buddies. I feel like I should be doing something active, but I’m still nursing my neck from Turtleman yesterday. I tweaked something and it’s painful—although, not as bad as yesterday. The massage guy at the race thinks I probably did something during the swim when turning my head from side to side to breath. At any rate, I’m here on my laptop instead and getting ready to recap Turtleman when I realized I haven’t even finished the SORT recap from a few weeks ago. I guess no time like the present…

The Swim Swim time: 00:35:42 (1083 overall place)

Judy and I were in the same wave, but she swims like a fish, so I knew if I saw her at all during the race, I’d have to attempt to catch her on the bike or run (which never happened). Our wave was large (all 35+ women and Athenas). And something about the adrenaline of the start make the cold not quite so awful. Sure, it was still damn cold and I got an ice cream headache right away, but it didn’t seem as horrible as our previous dips. Right away, I got into a rhythm and plugged along. I felt actually pretty good considering the circumstances.

However, this was a very aggressive swim. I was being swam over left and right. I was almost swimming over people myself. The fog made the sighting somewhat hard and I kept finding myself swimming into shore and ended up on the left side of the buoys and I’d have to correct. A lot of other people were in the same boat. We’d all correct then at the same time (when we were close to the next buoy) which would cause a bit of a traffic jam. Good times.

I also had two swimmers that I kept running into at various parts of the swim. I’d try and swim away, move out to cleaner water, but would inevitably end up next to them almost colliding.

I got hit and probably hit people myself more in this race than any other in my history of racing. I also developed a nasty habit of kicking hard anytime I felt something touch my feet. Self defense or bad sportsmanship?

The swim was also odd because we were so close to shore that some people could actually walk. The race directors did this on purpose because of the fog and cold. But it would be weird to be swimming along and see people walking and standing. It was a tough swim for everyone.

Luckily, it was over in 35+ minutes for me. A fast swim considering I swam this in 48 minutes last year—although considering how far they buoys were brought in, the swim had to be considerably shorter. Given my performance at other races this year, I’m guess the swim was about .9 to 1 mile instead of 1.2.

Transition 1 T1: 2:36

Exiting the water at Racine sucks. I remember it clearly from last year. The run from the beach to the transition area is long and deep in sand. It is hard, hard work running up through that sand. It’s nice that there are lots of spectators there cheering, but the effort spikes my heart rate. Ugh.

When I finally got into transition and found my rack, my bike was gone!

Yep, that’s right. My bike was gone! I stared a bit as I took off my wet suit and then finally noticed my bike racked way at the end of my rack with my helmet and all my nutrition (which was stored in my helmet on my bike as well as my sunglasses) strewn about on the ground on top of other people’s transition spots. It was super weird. I have no idea what happened.

When I finally found everything and geared up, I was out and ready to ride the course. I’d decided to wear my regular bike helmet and not the TT helmet because I was afraid I’d get hot in the TT helmet. But there was still cloud and fog cover and the temperatures weren’t too bad—although it was humid.

The Bike Bike: 2:54:45 (19.2 mph, 950 overall place)

Again, I don’t know what to say about the bike. It’s a long stretch of just pedaling in aero. I kept my heart rate in the lower to mid 150s. I ate 2-3 Clif Blocks every 20 minutes when my timer would go off. There were a number of people that I would play leap frog with. Me always passing them on the hills, them always passing me on the flats with their TT gear.

There were a lot of groups drafting out on the course and I thought that was weird. I hope they got penalties. I think some were just out there for training rather than racing. But it would get annoying to get passed by these groups of 4 or 5 and then have to pass them when they’d slow down for whatever reason. It was weird.

There was also one guy with a totally see-through tri suit. I mean, I could seriously see his ass as he pedaled along on the bike. It was so not pretty. I was considering saying something to him (I’d hope someone would do the same for me) but another woman did it before me. I heard her yell out, “Hey—I can totally see through your shorts!”

He said, “Thanks for telling me,” but he seemed less than concerned. Unfortunately, he was one of those guys that I leap frogged with so I got to see his ass pretty continually throughout the entire 56 mile bike.

Other than that, I did take one sports drink hand-up. I went through my own bottle of water and bottle of sports drinks. I felt like I had a nice steady pace. I also felt like there was a headwind for the majority of the ride. And I never did see Judy so I knew she was biking strong and fast (I’d later learn she kicked my ass on the bike—I averaged 19.2 mph, she: 20.1).

Transition 2 T2: 2:42

This was more uneventful than the last transition—thankfully. I did the little “slip out of your shoes on the bike” maneuver so I was able to hop off and run barefoot in transition which was faster than trying to run with bike shoes on. I quickly racked my bike, switched over my shoes. I body-glided up under my arms where I tend to chaff and I tried not to become negative about the run. Already, during the bike, I was having thoughts of, “Oh God, 13 miles of running.” Or, “I have to run for over 2 hours after this.”

The Run Run: 2:18:37 (10:35/mile pace, 977 overall place)

I tried to quash the voices and just head out at an easy pace. My goal was to stay in the lower 150s for the first 7 miles and then pick it up to the lower 160s for the second half of the run.

The run was hard. I was getting tired and the sun was finally out. So, while I was freezing during the swim, I was certainly heating up during the run. I also had a horrible attack of gas. I’m not sure if it was the Clif Blocks or what (and I know this is TMI), but I was farting like crazy for the entire run and it was pretty embarrassing. Other runners even commented on it. So not fun. Last year, I’d alternated between Gu and Clif Blocks on the bike and this year I went with straight Clif Blocks. Probably won’t do that EVER again.

The first few miles, it became apparent that I was running 10:30ish miles. I told myself I could pick up the pace in the second half. But as the run unfolded, it was becoming clear that I wasn’t going to be able to run any faster. I couldn’t even really push my heart rate higher than 152. My legs just didn’t have it in them. I was walking through the water stops to make sure I got in fluids and salt tabs. I was even dousing my head in water to keep cool. The temperature was going us and so was my heart rate at little, just not my pace.

Since Racine’s run is two loops, I did see Judy twice. It was clear she was a good 15 minutes ahead of me and there was no chance of my catching her. I just tried to remain focused and calm. The last four miles were the longest. Almost marathon-long. I tried to talk myself down from, “you could just walk” and “how on earth can I run another 40 minutes?”

I also had a character on the run that kept leap frogging with me. Again, I think he was just out there “training” so he was super chatty (even commented on my gas issue and warned me my laces might be untied—they weren’t, I had lace locks on). But it became super annoying to pass him every time he slowed down because he’d talk to me in random and irritating ways (again, the Gas comment.)

I also noticed a lot of runners cramping. It was pretty humid at the end. I tried to focus on the fact that I still felt okay and could keep running—even if I wasn’t running “fast.”

And I made it. Somehow. Someway. The last mile dissolved into the finish. I had a final rabbit at the end that I cruised by in a sprint to finish.

Total time: 5:54:32
Overall: 971 out of 1382
35-39 Females: 54 out of 103

Conclusion

Judy met me at the end and we got into Lake Michigan to “ice bath” our legs. Everyone in the water remarked at how cold it was and how amazing it was that we’d just swam through that just that morning.

I was actually feeling pretty good. My shoes were sloshy with all the water I poured on myself during the run so I wanted to get those off before I blistered. But I didn’t really chaff or have any problems. Even my muscles felt pretty good. I did get one wicked sunburn, though.

Judy and I hung out and ate some food, checked results and then finally checked into our third hotel of the trip: the Super 8. This wasn’t as nice as the Marriott, but certainly clean. We both showered, put away our gear. Watched a little cable TV and finally headed out for dinner at a cute little Irish pub where we treated ourselves to cheese curds (that’s right! Cheese curds and they were awesome) and ginormous burgers (her’s beef, mine Turkey).

We toasted to an adventure complete. I think we also both decided then and there NEVER to do this race again. It think it’s cursed for me (last year James’ accident, this year dying dog) and Judy’s experience wasn’t the best considering the hotel situation, the crappy weather and the freezing water.

I slept hard that night. I think we both did. I was ready to get home. We drove to my hometown where I was picking up my sister and her friend for a week spent with me in the Cities. Judy and I ate lunch with my stepdad and then we made the long trek on 94 back to the cities.

All in all, it was a decent trip. It was certainly epic. But I know I was grouchy and hard to deal with at times. My heart just wasn’t in this race. I guess I’m glad I did it, but I’m more glad it is over.

I also decided this distance may not be for me. Or maybe it’s just all the distance work I’ve done this year (with the Marathon, too) and I’m tired of it. I don’t know. What I do know is that I’m on the fence for the half iron I’m signed up for in September.

RIP Tryna, May 1997 - August 2008: The Bitchy Dog who made my cry buckets over her death probably just to spite me

Yes, I know. Enough with the dying-dead dog stuff. What can I say? That’s how I cope. I share everything with the entire world. It’s what I do.

But today was the day

Just like everyone said, we knew it was time. Actually, James knew more than I did. But as I was laying in bed on Sunday night not sleeping well, I could hear Tryna’s labored breathing. I got up early to hit the pool prior to work, but James called me as soon as I got to my desk. I knew why he was calling. And, I had to agree. She stopped eating on Friday except for maybe a scrap or two from the table. Her breathing kept getting louder and louder. She was having a tough time using the bathroom or walking around and she was just laying there.

He set the appointment for this morning at 10:30 am. Everyone at both our workplaces have been super-understanding. I knew I wouldn’t be able to show my face in the office with my awful puffy eyes and tendancy to cry on the drop of a dime.

We took last night slow. It was actually kind of an odd night. James and I both attended the Candlelight Vigil that was being held for the cancer patient who was beaten by three kids with baseball bats on Friday morning at Lake Phalen. It’s a terrible tragedy in our neighborhood. We’ve felt it pretty heavily and wanted to participate. Ironically, it sounds like there was another attack at the same time as the vigil. We didn’t notice anything but we did notice a lot of cops taking statements at the end. I thought they were related to Friday’s incident, but now I’m guessing it was that attack.

After the vigil, James and I picked up some take-out Chinese. We got home and a neighbor came by to say goodbye to the little snot. Tryna was pretty receptive to Tracy. She gave her kisses and stood by while the three of us sat on the kitchen floor crying and talking about dogs, Tryna, etc. At one point, Tryna did throw up all the water she had drank that evening—yet another sign that we were making the right choice.

After Tracy left, James and I just hung out with the girl. She was laying on the dining room floor most of this time. Not really responsive. We layed with her until it was time to go to bed.

In the past couple of years, while Tryna was healthy, she and I had developed this weird habit. I would go to bed (always earlier than Tryna) and I’d tell the dogs it was time to go to bed and when I’d get close to Tryna, she’d snap at me, bark and then follow me into the bedroom. It was weird. James always shook his head. So, last night when I went to bed, I went through the little exercise. It’s been weeks since I’ve bugged her like this (since we’ve known she was sick). But, oddly enough, when I told her to come to bed last night and I came to get her, she barked at me again. James told me I was torturing her—I was just glad to see some of that old Tryna personality come out.

I didn’t sleep well. I kept waking up and, each time I did, I’d look at the clock and do the mental math about how many hours Tryna had left to live (morbid, I know). James had to get up at 5am to teach spin class, but I just stayed in bed. I actually slept super-late—until 8am. I finally dragged myself out of bed then. I knew I had a tough morning ahead. I brushed my teeth, put on some casual clothes. James had brewed some coffee so I poured a cup and then plugged into work to catch up a little.

After he got home, James brought Tryna out on the deck while I was working. Around 9am, I finally logged off and we just sat with her on the deck—drinking our coffee. I took a lot of photos with my iPhone. I cried a lot. Soon, it was after 10am and time to go.

James got Tryna’s leash and gentle leader out. I laughed. Like we really need that??!!, I said. At the last minute, I decided I wanted Sienna to come, too. I have no idea why. I have no idea if that was a smart move. It was just what I wanted at the time. James asked the girls if they wanted to go on a ride, it was one of the final things that still illicited a response from Tryna. She got up and ran (well, as much as she could run) to the door and to the fence. She wanted to go on a car ride!

I took more pictures. She sat in the back seat upright. She looked like she had some spirit still in her. She was excited to be in the car. But you could also see what a struggle it was for her to keep her body upright. Her back legs had become terribly swollen. The vet later confirmed that there was probably some lymph drainage stuff happening there. She said we’d picked the right time—her body was certainly shutting down.

When we got to the vet office, I about lost it. James carried the poor girl into the office. They rushed us into a clinic room. They placed Tryna on a high table, but she looked scared and awkward, so we moved her to the floor. Sienna was nervous, too, and all over the place. The Vet Tech had me sign all the paperwork and pay ahead of time. The vet was in there shortly afterwards. She explained the procedure. She had to shave Tryna’s leg to find the vain. Unfortunately, her back legs were too swollen and her left front leg wasn’t receptive. Finally, they found a vain on the right front leg. It was just seconds. We pet her and told her we loved her and then she stopped breathing. She was gone.

The vet gave us some time alone with Tryna. I lasted about a minute. I really hated being in there with her dead body. She suddenly wasn’t Tryna anymore and I was not comfortable with the dead dog on the floor next to me. I told James to take his time and I was out of there. I went outside. When I left, most of the staff couldn’t even look at me. It was all kinds of horrible. Necessary, but horrible.

James was out some time later. We both hugged. It’s true, she was no longer suffering. She was free of the pain. But we missed the hell out of her already.

The rest of the afternoon was a bit of a fog. I did my best to be productive working from home, but my mind would wander and I’d end up in tears or surfing PetFinder.com. James was under a tough deadline for a speech at work. So while he was working from home, too, he was also under the gun to be more productive. We did take a break at lunch and treat ourselves to a favorite outdoor patio lunch at Swede Hollow. I even got a Cafe Miel on my way out—it’s my ultimate, I’m-sad-and-need-comfort-in-a-way-that-only-honey-and-milk-Swede-Hollow-can-provide. Once again at home, I sucked at being productive. James worked on his budget speech.

Finally, I decided I needed some activity and should join the Tuesday women’s ride. Riding alone sounded depressing. But I felt I needed some fresh air and distraction. It ended up being perfect. I rode 10 miles to the cafe on my own, rode another 20 with the ladies (great distraction!) and a final 10 miles home. The weather was beautiful. The effort felt nice. Coming home to one dog was sad, but I’ll get used to it with time.

All in all, it was a damn tough day. But I’m thankful for the support we have—in a number of areas. Work is supportive in letting us have this time. Friends are awesomely supportive. Family, too. All the messages and notes and kind words have not gone unnoticed and are completely appreciated in a way I cannot express. To have to go through this in the way that we have is probably a best possible scenario.

But Tryna is gone. James and I are both incredibly sad. And I need to get beyond seeing her lifeless body in that vet office clinic room. Therefore, in honor of her and the crazy beast that she was, I want to close this with a top ten—as cheesy as that is. She wasn’t a classy dog, but she was entertaining. ;)

So, here we go:

Top Ten Things that made Tryna Lockwood the most stubborn, frustrating, entertaining, loving and craziest Bitch

(10) The way she yelled at me every night before I went to bed (as mentioned above) and then would follow me in the room and promptly jump into bed and go to sleep.

(9) The way she would open our old back door with her paw to just check out what was going on outside and then let it crash shut while she remained inside. She just wanted to know what was going on! This was cause for endless hours of amusement with friends on our back deck—until, that is, she broke the door for good and we had to replace it with one she couldn’t open.

(8) The way she would bark and be disruptive in Obedience class (all 12 sessions). She was so bad, they actually gave me a water gun to shoot at her when she spoke. The smart bitch even figured out when I’d put it on my pocket—so I had to have it aimed at her for pretty much the duration of each class.

(7) The way she would stomp at me ON THE HOUR both morning and night for dinner. She had no patience for a late dinner and an insanely accurate internal clock.

(6) The way she would lick the hell out of any sweaty skin she could find. My poor bike riding friends would always be molested by her at the end of a ride. So attracted to sweaty skin she was. Gross, I know.

(5) The way she could High Five. Like no other dog. Totally awesome. (A tie with how she also rocked the Bat Wings I put on her every Halloween.)

(4) The way a thunderstorm or fireworks could turn normally Tough-Ass-Tryna into a Shaking-Really-Scared-Tryna who could only be comforted by her daddy.

(3) The way she would lay in any body of water that she would come across. And the muddier the better. It was a constant source of frustration on any hike—especially when we happened upon unexpected bodies of muddy water and a bath was suddenly needed STAT.

(2) The way she came in a took over as the Top Dog, Queen of the pack after Sienna had already lived here for 5 years. Not always a good thing—but definitive.

(1) The way she rocked the walk and the Gentle Leader. She was the best dog to walk ever. She loved it! She walked with purpose and meant it. I’m going to miss that the most.

There are a million other things. She was my cross to bear, but she was also a highlight I never expected. I always joked that I thought she would live forever just to spite me, and even with that, she has the last laugh.

Tryna-bell. I love you. I will miss you. Thank you for making our lives so interesting and peppered with your personality. The last five years would have never been the same without you and we are eternally greatful for the time we had.

And, PS, she really loved meat:

At least it’s a pretty morning

On the deck, Aug 5, 2008.