Bueller? Bueller? Bueller?

I think you get the idea. Where the heck have I been, besides lurking around the blogosphere? Well, I have had a pretty busy August - started a new job at the end of July, so I have been trying to get adjusted to my new surroundings there. I haven't posted about it, because I am still in that stage of figuring out whether or not this was the right move to make. I was at my old job for over 3 years, and even though I had my low points, I really do miss a lot of the people I left. When I took this current job, I also pretty much said "no" to another job that was in my pipeline, that was more in line with my personality, but me getting it was not a sure thing. (Hence my rambling archived posts about what to do with my life. ;) )
Ah, another turn at the proverbial fork in the road of life. Wonder where this one will lead...

And now, for what you are REALLY interested in...have I been training? have I been running? swimming? biking?

Well, I have been running a little. Sadly, another low mileage month, but I am looking forward to getting that up in September. However, I have been swimming a fair amount. I took the plunge in early August and joined the Ohio Masters Swimming. They hold regular workouts throughout the week, all coached, and it's pretty great. In the summer, they swim in a 50 meter pool, which I haven't had the chance to do in a long time, as my "home natatorium" is only a 25 yard pool. Let me tell you, that first practice, I was like "where's the freakin' wall???" It's getting tough, now, because we practice at 7:30 p.m., and it starts to get dark, and there aren't lights in the bottom of the pool. I don't like the fact that it seems really CHILLY these days in Northeast Ohio. I know that Labor Day is this weekend, but I am just not ready to say hello autumn.

I also finished my likely last triathlon of the season. Unfortunately, I didn't really end it on a good note. It was on the 27th, the Lorain Sprint Tri. I finished in 1:40 - SLOW! The conditions were less than ideal. It rained during the entire bike, and for someone like me, that can be devastating. I was just feeling really burned out on racing, I think. All the swimming I have been doing really tired me out, and mentally, my mind was not in the race. I walked out of the lake up to T1, and actually contemplated not finishing. Not because I was hurt or I had bike problems, but because I just didn't want to. But I forced myself to get on the bike and motor through the best I could. But it was raining pretty much the whole time, my shoes were soaked, and I just wasn't having fun. (I know you guys probably want to know if I want some cheese with my whine, but bear with me.) Anyway, I think that was my last tri of the season. Overall, I am happy with my performance - I did my first Olympic, and I PR'd my sprint tri time.

For now, I want to focus on swimming with my Master's team, and getting my running back in shape. I am also starting to look at next year's marathon calender to see what looks good. I am thinking of doing a fall one, possibly a trail marathon, and hopefully in a place that will double as a vacation spot, too. I will be sure to keep you posted on what I come up with.

Sorry for the short-shrifted post on what I have been up to for the last month, but I am out the door to swim practice, but I wanted to do a quick post to let you all know I was alive...

I hope everyone has a fun, relaxing and safe Labor Day!