Biking

Alright lets start with an adorable picture of Fisher...I love the little scarf. This last weekend we were in Park City visiting some great friends, they have these 2 little girls 4 and 2.5 years old. Well the 2 year old is very articulate, and well spoken. I was feeding Fisher and she wanted to sit on my lap, but I couldn't so I told her to go sit on Seth's lap...so she does. Then the following happened;

Elle (the girl): Can you put my blanket over my head?

Seth: Sure, like this?

Elle: Can I drink milk from your boobies?

Seth: (In shock!) No. We cannot do that?

Elle: Can I drink milk from your boobies?

Seth: Help, can someone help me, I don't know how to answer this.

Needless to say Seth and Elle compromised with water in a sippy cup. It was great I was just laughing at him...I was no help.


Next thing: I colored my hair, I am now a brunette. I like it...I may keep it.
Remember when I vowed never to ride my trainer again? Last week I did really well I went mountain biking on Monday and Tuesday. Then I went road biking with Fisher on Thursday and on Friday I went on a nice 27 mile ride. I felt pretty good. Then on Saturday my coach MADE me get on my trainer for a miserable 45 minutes. Ewww gross. 18 Hours of Fruita will be out of control fun.

It's Official

We are officially signed up to do 18 hours in Fruita. I am super excited, so excited in fact that I skipped dessert and got on the trainer for an entire hour. Seriously an hour is so long when you are on the trainer and even longer when you are watching Mama Mia...okay really? Merl Streep? What was the deal? I would like to say that my training and dessert skipping was all due to my high level of commitment...but it most definaltly was not...Seth finished off the ice cream...nerts...and then made me get on the bike...that's what coaches do. It was brutal...I HATE the trainer and no way can I do this for 12 weeks...I can barely image anything worse...maybe finishing Mama Mia...but I still may do that...it was like a train wreak...I wanted to look away but couldn't. Actually have you ever seen an Indian music video (dots not feathers)? Those videos are hypnotic!!! As a kid I would watch them all the time, partially because I could not turn them off. It's a weird vortex.

My new plan is to ride outside. I don't know how I will do this yet, the snow is an issue...but I have to figure out a way. I am working out possibilities but I don't care..I hate that trainer and it has only been one week! On Monday I am going to get a babysitter and go bike up green canyon. I am going to make it happen...but first I will check the weather...forget it, even if it is snowing I will go. Okay deal.

My Battle with Butter

I have a confession to make...I don't really watch what I eat...like I don't over eat and just be a gluttonous mess...and I don't eat junk food...but I do like to bake...which is my biggest problem...to bake anything worth eating, you have to add butter. Under no circumstance would I EVER substitute margarine for butter....it's all about standards really. Different taste, and I just like things old school I suppose...but never would I add shortening...so I guess I do watch what I eat...I just would be better off if I didn't bake. Like this last weekend I wanted to make croissants, so I go about making them...little did I realize that it would take me two days and 3 sticks of butter. Yeah...I know...I know...okay it was a mistake...side note though, they turned out amazingly...and I will never make them again. Honestly if you really need a croissant just go to the bakery and get one, not 2 dozen. Luckily I have Seth who has the metabolism of a giraffe and he ate a lot and then I just froze the rest. While training I have to eat carbs...so then I get all crazy with different types of pasta recipes and make my own pasta...then breads...I have to have a loaf of bread to go with dinner...yeah I know I AM MY WORST ENEMY! Maybe while I train I will control what I eat...but the problem is the baking...I just need to tap into my healtier side...which I have, I just have been ignoring her.
As you can tell I am going to use my blog to use as my confessional. Which will suck, but you guys are so supportive....I can't tell you how many calls I got yesterday calling me fatty...now if that isn't motivational I don't know what is!

Against my better judgement...

On May 2nd I am doing the 18 hours of Fruita...it is an 18 hour mountain bike race. You can do it solo, two man team, or a four person team. Seth and I were going to do it together, but we wanted two more, so we asked Kitty and Ivy to do it with us and to our uber super fabulous delight they said they would do it with us. Okay awesome right? Well kind of...these two are like greek gods...they don't have lactic thresholds like us mortals do...they are awesome and feel no pain. Then there is Seth who rocks and gets the job done...and he looks good doing it. If you think my husband doesn't know style, you may be right, except when it comes to biking. It is the weirdest thing, but he and his macho family they all know how to look good on the bike. So I am competing with crazy ironman athletes...and then there is me...I don't want to throw in the baby card...but I am going to...I just had a kid...like 5 months ago...but still, I'm soft and pudgy...my cardio kind of blows right now...and well it's winter and I like to eat...a lot. All of this brings me to the purpose of this post...I need to train. Yes I do, I don't like to train indoors tho...but I have no choice...Logan is covered in way too much snow topped with black ice. I would bike on the trails with the snow, but it would cost too much money to get my bike ready for that. So that leaves me with the indoors. Suck for sure! Okay so I get on my trainer and I train...well I don't know how to train...this is a problem...so against my better judgement Seth will be my coach. Yes my husband...if you bike or run or whatever with your spouse then you get my problem. Biking with your spouse is amazing...when you get ready together and start the first 3 miles together, then you split up...you let them ride and you ride at your own pace. DO NOT try to ride together in the first or second season together. I don't care how strong your marriage is, the rides never end well...granted this may sound a little harsh, but those die hards know exactly what I am saying. I kill myself trying to keep up with Seth, and I kills Seth with how slow I go, even though he would never say that...I know it...I can read his mind like a good wife.

Moving on. So Seth is my coach and I will do what he tells me to do with only a medium amount of hassle. In turn he will take this bag of jello and turn me into a lean mean mountain biking machine. I just hope our marriage can survive. I'm sure it will...in the long run.

Here are a few things that help me train;I have a trainer, tv, fan, and little table...oh and don't forget the motivational posters

It's my process...I'm not saying it's healthy.

Podium

I've never said we weren't going to be pushers as parents...why have a kid if you can't live through them?

Photo courtesy of Graham Watson

Embarrassing Pictures

What kind of Mother would I be if I didn't have some embarrassing pictures of my little Fish. Here they are, of course I think they are adorable, but when his first date comes around in like 32 years, maybe he won't find potty pictures as adorable as I do.Father and Son napping after a 'long' winter hike

Snowy Day

As my devotees you know I have some bitter sweet moments with the Winter, and really more bitter than sweet. (I just like the hot sun, what's so wrong with that) Every winter I try to make it a little more bearable than the last...so on this snowy day I am going to enjoy a hot cup of homemade hot chocolate: I stole this recipe from Mer on her blog...she has the best recipes, I would totally link her but her blog is uber exclusive...

1 ½ cups whole milk
2 ½ T water
2 ½ T granulated sugar (I've found that if I use baker's sugar, it dissolves really smoothly)
3 oz. bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped (use high-quality chocolate, 70% cocoa. Choose a chocolate you really love because it will be the most prominent flavor.)

In a medium saucepan, combine the milk, water, and sugar. Place over medium heat and whisk occasionally until the sugar is dissolved. Increase the heat to medium-high and bring the mixture just to a boil. Remove the pan from the heat and whisk in the chocolate. At this point, blend the mixture. If you have an immersion/stick blender, you can do this directly in the saucepan (actually, don't do that if you have non-stick pans!); if not, you’ll need to transfer it to a regular blender. Blend for 1 minute (on high speed, if using a traditional blender - and take care (!), as hot liquids expand when blended). The finished mixture should be very smooth and frothy. Don’t skip the blending step. It helps to incorporate the chocolate and makes the texture velvety-smooth. Serve immediately. This makes 2 servings.

I add one step to that I include homemade marshmallows. Yes I know...I didn't really think you could make them at home...but I did and they are most incredible!!!

3 packages unflavored gelatin
1 cup ice cold water, divided
12 ounces granulated sugar, approximately 1 1/2 cups
1 cup light corn syrup
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup confectioners' sugar
1/4 cup cornstarch
Nonstick spray

Place the gelatin into the bowl of a stand mixer along with 1/2 cup of the water. Have the whisk attachment standing by.

In a small saucepan combine the remaining 1/2 cup water, granulated sugar, corn syrup and salt. Place over medium high heat, cover and allow to cook for 3 to 4 minutes. Uncover, clip a candy thermometer onto the side of the pan and continue to cook until the mixture reaches 240 degrees F, approximately 7 to 8 minutes. Once the mixture reaches this temperature, immediately remove from the heat.

Turn the mixer on low speed and, while running, slowly pour the sugar syrup down the side of the bowl into the gelatin mixture. Once you have added all of the syrup, increase the speed to high. Continue to whip until the mixture becomes very thick and is lukewarm, approximately 12 to 15 minutes. Add the vanilla during the last minute of whipping. While the mixture is whipping prepare the pans as follows.

For regular marshmallows:

Combine the confectioners' sugar and cornstarch in a small bowl. Lightly spray a 13 by 9-inch metal baking pan with nonstick cooking spray. Add the sugar and cornstarch mixture and move around to completely coat the bottom and sides of the pan. Return the remaining mixture to the bowl for later use.

When ready, pour the mixture into the prepared pan, using a lightly oiled spatula for spreading evenly into the pan. Dust the top with enough of the remaining sugar and cornstarch mixture to lightly cover. Reserve the rest for later. Allow the marshmallows to sit uncovered for at least 4 hours and up to overnight.

Turn the marshmallows out onto a cutting board and cut into 1-inch squares using a pizza wheel dusted with the confectioners' sugar mixture. Once cut, lightly dust all sides of each marshmallow with the remaining mixture, using additional if necessary. Store in an airtight container for up to 3 weeks.

Enjoy!!!Recipe by Alton Brown

Is it time to get a Christmas tree???

I think it may be time to get some real Christmas tree.

Boy Pirate goes to Church

He is getting so big...check out the stuffed toy in the upper right hand corner...yeah Seth's dad gave that to Fisher...it is the ugliest goblin night mare giving stuffed thing I have seen.

Baby Wearing

I am loving that I can wear Pirate Boy everywhere I go...I wish I could while driving also...but that's just dangerous! Fisher is with me all day on the body which is great...he is such an alert baby and I think a lot of it has to do with him being on my body...I know a ton of parents do the same thing...and I love it.

Thanksgiving...I know what I am thankful for....

Every Thanksgiving Seth and I try to go on a mountain biking trip...it's a great time to go play and enjoy our time together.  This year Seth was not around for Thanksgiving he had some school stuff he needed to do in Pennsylvania so I was in Sandy with his family.  Well since it's Thanksgiving I thought it was only right to go mountain biking, you know tradition of heritage...however my mountain bike was in the shop and I all I had was Seth's bike.  So Seth's the Captain, Scott, Webber, and I went biking up corner canyon on Seth's bike...well Seth only has one gear on his bike...and corner canyon defiantly has some elevation gain...needless to say I almost has a heart attack!!!!  I have no idea how people ride with only one gear and not even an easy gear...I had to stop/fall over so many times just to breath!  Oh my goodness I was crazy!  I am no where near that good of shape to handle that kind of lactic acid overdose.  The even crazier part of everything was that I actually kind of liked it...you know pushing myself that hard...even tho I hated it while doing it.  I know it's sick.  So the next day Seth's brother was in town and we had to go do the same thing...this time there was a huge problem...mud!!!  We thought the trail would have been a whole lot drier and it was at the bottom.  The closer to the top we got the muddier it became...and no one wants to ride on muddy trails mainly because you tear up the trails...and let's be honest only jerks do that...and I didn't want to be a jerk so I had to walk it up in sections a little off the trail...it sucked...but I know what I am grateful for I am grateful for gears on my bike...and good lungs...and well everything in my life...I have an awesome life with awesome people surrounding me.  I say often but not often enough - Life is Good!  

Back in Utah

For a 3 month old Fisher has been around...we have been out of state for about 6 weeks or so...I don't really know anymore...We have been to Idaho, Montana, Missouri, Arizona, Nevada, California...and now we are finally back home...yes we are home in freezing cold Utah. The high will be around 50 degrees which I guess isn't terrible. Now it will be time to start busting out all the cold gear...because this winter is going to be awesome!!! I am so looking forward to it...I am going to do all sorts of fun winter things like...uh....hmph...wear scarves...and...well let's just say I won't ruin the surprise...it will be awesome tho! Crazy awesome...just crazy......

New Training Partner

I have been putting off picking a race to do this year...I am still not decided on what I want to do. However I did tell Betsy I would train with her to do a half ironman. She says she needs a training partner, so I will train as if I were doing the race...but I can't do them because of conflicts. I started training here in California and I have the worst training partner. I know sometimes I can be a little overbearing while training and maybe my idea of fun isn't so fun for others...and sure maybe I have had some training partners who have thrown up during rides, or swear like a sailors during runs, or swim incredibly fast so that the snapping turtle in the lake won't bite their toes off...but never have I had a training partner cry on me. Shesh. Every time I go out and train with Fisher he always cries...it's killing me I can barely get a good session in with him. I run with him in the Chariot and like 20 minutes into it he is done and wants to get out...so then I have the Baby Bjorn so I can walk with him back to the house. There is not a lot I can do at the point. So pretty much I have been doing nothing but leg workouts...because all I can do is lunges and squats and stuff with the little tyke in the carriers. So yeah training is going to be a little trickier then in previous years...but it will be worth it.

Winter can be so hard

Winters are already hard for me, so I am in San Diego enjoying the amazing hot weather. When I arrived here my sister was setting up my bed for me with a really cute fall blanket that has the autumn leaves on it and very warm fabrics then I began to feel bad for the people of SoCal that they don't experience the leaves changing color, and that time of the year where you put your summer clothes away and bring out the sweaters, and most of all they will miss a white Christmas...how sad...I thought...for like half a second. Are you kidding...this place is great...go to the beach year round...maybe not get in the water...but you could if you wanted to. For me the idea of riding my bike year round sounds amazing. I really like the warmth...but I will try this year as I try every year to have a great winter full of something blah blah blah you know the drill. This year should be a little different because I have little Fish to tow around with me...but I think we can make things work. I will keep you posted on my plans for winter bliss. I'm am thinking that Fisher is loving this weather as well.

Exile

Seth came down to San Diego for a day and it was awesome. He has been in exile for a few months...but he crossed the border just for a day...it was very risky...but what can I say I am worth the risk. When I say cross the border I am talking county borders...he was a few counties north of me...why what were you thinking? Huh.

Just cute...it's cuter than a puppy wearing sunglasses.

Look Close

Sunny San Diego

Fisher and I have been hanging out in San Diego...it's awesome...it's so warm and today was pretty hot. I love it!!! We hang out at the park during the day or we go running...I do most of the running he kind of just sits there soaking up the sun. Today we hung out at the beach. I love the weather here...too big of a city for my taste...but it's great to visit.He was using his feet to play in the sand...it was really cute...but everything he does is cute...the joys of motherhood.

Smiles

His feet in the Pacific ocean for the first time

More smiles!

Fisher gone Fishing

Fisher went on his first fishing trip with his Grandpapa. He fished (very briefly) and he loved it...well he did not cry so I am assuming that he loved it. I'm not sure if he feels like eating fish would be cannibalism for him...you know since he is a fish eating a fish...what am I talking about, fish eat fish all the time. We were staying right off the Sacramento river, it was nice, a little chilly but nothing compared to the 6 inches of snow in Utah, thank freakin' heaven that I am in Cali instead of there...otherwise you would be reading another anger filled tantrum. This trip was also Fisher first camping trip...I know I kind could be considered a bad parent for taking a 3 month out camping while it's cold and you know he's a baby, but I figured babies were living long before central heating...so we bundled up and he was great! He was such a happy camper, he loves being outside, but what kid wouldn't.Happy Little Camper...crazy cute!Uncle Jock helping Fisher with his style

Little Fish

Happy 3 Month Birthday Little Fish...


He is moving and shaking what his momma gave him....He is beginning to understand how to crawl, so he is scooting himself around...a few inches at a time...it has been so fun watching him figure things out...

Training Has Begun

My training has officially begun. I'm not sure on what I am training for tho...yeah a little problem. Usually during the winter I would want to be training for a marathon. But since Seth did a 4 week rotation in sports medicine and saw all the runners with bum knees he really does not want me to run marathons...he would rather me run anything under 13 miles...and that isn't enough to train for...well maybe it is...but I would goof around eat candy and still gain weight so I am needing something else. That is where you the reader come in. I am looking for suggestions...what should I be training for? Here are my parameters...If it is a race it cannot be on Sunday. I would prefer no swimming. No run can exceed 15 miles. The event must happen in April or sooner. Remember this is to get me in shape during the winter, but it needs to be a solid goal otherwise I will just forget about it. It kind of has to be big enough to scare me to trail...I am totally motivated by my own death. Lastly, it does not have to be a 'race' you can make up an event, as long as it is possible to complete and you have thought the details out thoroughly. So lets try to find something that would kill me if I didn't train for it.

The one thing I could think about doing was the White Rim trail in Moab, but do it all in one day...it's like a hundred miles of mnt. biking. Damn tho, that really would kill me...better make it two days.

What about the Kokipelli trail...that's crazy long. I dunno...that is where you come in, help me get back in shape.
Giddiup!