Weekend Wrap Up: Pizza Pizza Pizza Edition

I just realized that I ate pizza every day this weekend. On Friday, I celebrated a friend's birthday with homemade lobster pizza; on Saturday, I had pizza at City House; and on Sunday, John and I ate lunch at Desano. Tragically, I have no evidence of this pizza bonanza, so here's a picture of this car I was fortunate enough to park beside on Friday morning in Hillsboro Village.

On Saturday, I did my first outdoor ride since September. It was supposed to be a lot warmer than it was, of course. I basically just took what I'd wear for a long run and doubled it. My stomach hurt for hours because of all the different waistbands I had on. I was cold, but it wasn't as bad as I expected. I tagged along on a group ride that started at Shelby and went to the Percy Priest dam and back, about 24 miles. I had a lot of fun and miraculously remembered how to shift and clip-out. Yay, muscle memory!

Another thing I remembered, riding my bike makes me really hungry. Luckily, my friend Carolyn was nearby, so we met up at Mas Tacos where I ordered, and ate, all of the things. I don't remember what I did the rest of the day, but that night, I met my friend Meg at City House to thank her for designing my logo. Oh hello, belly ham pizza, WITH AN EGG. Per Mary Katherine's recommendation, we also treated ourselves to the Tennessee Waltz cake. Y'all. Go get that cake.

Early Sunday morning, before the rain set in, my lady gang met for a long run. We got rained on a little, so we warmed up at Dose with coffee and breakfast biscuits. You'd think eating an egg and cheese biscuit for breakfast would deter me from eating pizza for lunch. You'd be wrong. Hello, training metabolism!

Last night, while most people were watching the SuperBall-FootBowl, I was down the street being an extra in a photo shoot with my friend Freya. I played the part of rhythmically-challenged triathlete turns to burlesque for alternative fitness. Look for me soon on the Delinquent Debutantes website in the back row robotically doing all of the wrong moves.

Weekend Wrap Up: Popping Tags Edition

Oh hey, my face. While it was sleeting on Friday night, I kept warm under a blanket of chemicals and aluminum foil. Like the US Postal Service, neither rain, sleet, nor snow can keep me from my bi-monthly hair appointment. Also, for those keeping score at home, I didn't cut my hair. I'm not stopping until I achieve Crystal Gayle status. Apparently.

So the good news is, my fancy, new bike trainer is so quiet that Linda can sleep through my living room work-outs. The bad news is, Linda sleeps through my living room work-outs, #rude.

My friend April started an Article Club. She posted three articles online and we met at her house to discuss. We read this, this and this. As you may have deduced from my going off of Facebook for a month, I don't search out opportunities for tenuous conversation. But I've known April a long time and I trust her, plus few things get me going like group activities and meeting new people. There was also pizza and wine, so... duh.

I had a blast! April did a great job curating the right mix of attendees. We varied in age from 29-40+, single/divorced vs. married/re-married, children vs. no children, corporate vs. self-employed, cat vs. dog. It worked. We had real awesome, real respectful, real-talk. I had so much fun and can't wait for the next one.

My Sunday lady gang is a little disbanded at the moment, so I ended up running on my own yesterday. Sundays are supposed to be my long runs, but I keep not actually running long distances. I hurt my knees running that half marathon in December, so I've been slowing building back up. I ran five miles in Shelby yesterday, pretty fast:  10:22, 10:25, 10:26, 10:04, 9:34. Hooray, almost negative splits!

Because I don't have any friends anymore (kidding, kidding), I didn't do my post-run breakfast biscuit at Dose, so I was STARVING. John and I went to lunch at Kien Giang. Y'all, I'm not even kidding, I ate that banh mi as an appetizer.

File under: Duh. John and I are going to the Grammy's next week. There are three events that I need outfits for and finding those outfits will stand to be the greatest stressor of my life. Have I enlisted the help of a stylist? Yes. Have I ordered everything from everywhere? Yes. Do I have any idea what I'm wearing? No.

I found a gold blazer on Nasty Gal that I tried to buy only to find it exists solely in Mary Kate Olsen size. I've since made it my mission to find a gold blazer. I kind of found one. I think. I found this guy at the Rivergate Goodwill yesterday, where, pro tip, their blazer game is ON POINT. It's Calvin Klein and it appears to be brand new. It may need to be taken in a little, so we'll see (more pics on Flickr). To be continued...

Weekend Wrap Up: Holiday Hangover Edition

Oy. It's been a rough start back from the holidays, right? I think I have a holiday hangover. I did really good over the holidays and didn't buy myself anything, which I usually do the entire time I'm Christmas shopping. So to reward myself, on Friday I bought some stuff. You know, small ticket items like a Cycle Ops indoor bike trainer. Thanks, Red Kite! Then I went to Target and got new running tights (with a drawstring!) and this super cute/my new favorite sweatshirt. I needed a $40 sweatshirt like a hole in the head, but... #womenbeshopping.

I have exactly one friend from my youth, and this is her - Dawn. We met in middle school and have been friends and off and on roommates ever since. She moved to LA this year, but she was home for Christmas and wanted to check out Adele's, so I met her on Friday night for our fancy, lady dinner. Adele's - thumbs up!

More friends home for Christmas! On Saturday morning, I met my friend Hot Koh Koh for a run and coffee. And when I say run, I mean walk. Because we straight up walked for 4 miles. Whatever! My knee has been bothering me and it's easier to talk while walking anyway.

Okay, I did run on Sunday. Shockingly. I met Kristine, Melanie, Lana and Jessica to run various lengths in/around Belle Meade Boulevard. The three of us weren't feeling it, so we ran 3 miles, peaced out and went to Dose for coffee and biscuits.

Last week was my first week of Half Ironman training. I didn't actually start training, unless thinking, 'I should really start training' counts as training. I swim with NAC Masters and they sent out an email for their triathlete swimmers inviting us to show up at 3:30 on Sunday with our bikes and trainers for a 90 minute bike/swim brick workout. I just bought a bike trainer! I was super excited about this!

In not necessarily chronological order, here is a list of everything that went wrong. There was hockey practice and kids' swim practice, so I had to park a million miles away. It was freezing cold and raining. I was in flip flops. When I took my bike out of my trunk, my front tire wouldn't attach. I had to carry my bike, trainer and swim bag the million cold, wet miles into the building. I kept dropping things and sliding, because, flip flops. I got everything inside and up all the stairs to the bleachers only to realize that I didn't buy the training skewer to attach my bike to the trainer. No problem! I'll just park my bike and swim. The only lane open was so far away that I couldn't read the board, so I just swam freestyle for 45 minutes & got out. Wet, I walked my bike, swim bag and trainer back to my car. Still dropping things and sliding. I couldn't get the front tire back off my bike, so I couldn't get it in the trunk, and I couldn't get it in the backseat either. It was a disaster that ended in me crying all the way home. Interspersed in all this, were condescending remarks from men about bike maintenance, who I should be taking classes from and how bike trainers work. Thanks, men I don't know! You're why no one likes triathletes!

Weekend Wrap Up: Yes Please Edition

Friday night manicure. Essie No More Film and Sephora Only Gold For Me glitter topcoat.

Early Saturday morning I took a 5-mile performance test at Endeavor Performance. It was real hard. I went HAM. I came in 4th place. The End!

I rode so hard, y'all. I was in 5th place the first half of the ride. As I started getting close to the person in 4th place, I was able to pass her and stay ahead of her. It's probably the fastest I've ever ridden. Todd crouched down behind me for the last few minutes and got me to sprint to the end and keep my 4th place status. When it was over, I stood up on my bike to relieve my soft bits and tipped over. Why? HAM, that's why.

Parnassus Books turned 3 over the weekend and to celebrate, emailed 20% off coupons to use in the store on Saturday. Yes Please by Amy Poehler? Don't mind if I do! Buying books at Parnassus is one of my favorite things to do in Nashville. Second only to yelling "Hello!" to Ann Patchett when I run past her walking her dog in the morning. A behavior I'm simultaneously embarrassed about and unable to stop. I love everyone that works in Parnassus, but I especially love Bill. When I was checking out, Bill said, "My, look at your nails!", which is pretty much the highest compliment you can pay me.

John's car is a truck now. A fact that we're both hilariously in denial about. But we got our first truck request over the weekend. Friends Keith and Nicole (Urban, yes) needed help with a couch. I snapped this pic of Linda on our way out because it's the way she looks at us every time we go somewhere, like she couldn't be more disappointed in us. Because I like to come up with pun-y memoir titles in my spare time, I came up with this one for Linda, Where Are You Guys Going:  The Linda McCartney Story.

Melanie and I were scheduled to run 6 miles on Sunday. The weather has not been kind to us. The temperature for our Friday run was 18 degrees, and on Sunday, it was POURING. And also still really cold. Six miles isn't that far, so we ran our 6 rainy miles and then treated ourselves to coffee and breakfast biscuits at Dose.

A few hours after my rain-run, I started to feel sick, which should surprise no one who tracked my fitness this weekend. I decided pho would make me feel better, so we went down the street to Vn Pho & Deli. The pho was delicious, but I am definitely sick. We spent the rest of the day on the couch watching Twin Peaks.

Weekend Wrap Up: Anniversary Edition

This weekend was our anniversary. On Friday I stayed in, painted my nails and watched Mortified Nation on Netflix. Have you seen that? It's pretty hilarious and I highly recommend it.

Saturday morning I finally took a class at Endeavor Performance. I say finally because people have been telling me to take this class for a year. Congratulations, you all win. This class was awesome. It was also my first time on my bike since Augusta, which was 6 weeks ago. Oops! And ouch.

Todd is offering some free classes right now. I took a free beginner class on Saturday and I'm taking the free performance test this week. This is a whole other post, but it looks like I start training again in 7 weeks and, if I can swing it, these classes may be a new addition to my training. To be continued...

I spent Saturday afternoon sitting on an ice pillow and taking pictures of Linda. It's hard to tell, but her head is laying on her paws.Y'all, this dog.

Saturday was our 6-year wedding anniversary. John and I met and started dating in 2004, so this year is a cumulative 10 years together, which is so nuts, especially since 10 years ago, John was 15. Just kidding. Kind of.

For dinner Saturday night, we went to Margot. We had such an amazing time. I don't know why we don't eat there more often. I like the cozy atmosphere and the food is unbelievable. We had frog legs! And they were so good! Also, that cookie plate right now is on point. Trust.

Oy, Sunday. It was a rough start. Luckily, I just had to run 10 miles. I can do that on 1 hour of sleep (approx.) and a belly full of frog legs and wine. No problem! Sigh... I met my lady gang on Belmont Blvd and we ran Bongo to Bongo, shockingly without incident.

I stopped at the store on my way home and grabbed stuff to make crockpot dinner. I made this recipe from Erin's Food Files. It was delicious!

Still in marital celebration mode, we treated ourselves to a fancy movie. We saw Interstellar in IMAX at Opry Mills. It was totally worth it! Well, says the one Baldwin who didn't spend the rest of night reading Interstellar sub-Reddits.

For your perusal, here are 500 pictures from our 2008 wedding:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/16828091@N04/collections/72157624327179191/

Weekend Wrap Up: Taper Edition

This weekend was my last training weekend before Ironman Augusta 70.3. I drove back to my friend Kristie's house in Leiper's Fork & we did a 2-hour taper ride on the Trace. By the time we got to the Trace, we only had to ride for 45 minutes before we turned around & headed back. It felt so good!

I was home for the day by 10:00am & had no idea what to do with myself, so I went to Lana's. When I got there, Lana presented me with this big white box covered in gold string. I've had an emotional couple of weeks, last week in particular & Lana gave me this "box of sunshine" to cheer me up & help me re-focus on my race. It's pretty hard not to get cheered up by this box. You're probably feeling cheery just looking at the picture. Lana, thank you!!

More presents! My lady gang ran my 6 mile taper run with me on Sunday morning. Melanie made a batch of browned butter snickerdoodles & a batch of lemon sugar cookies & gave them to me in this cute cookie jar. Melanie, I'll have you know that by 5pm yesterday, those cookies were gone. It's a cookie PR for me. Thank you so much!!

After my run (& a latte from Dose), I drove to Percy Priest for one last open water swim. It's getting weird this time of year because no one is at the Anderson Road Rec Area & it's kind of spooky. And cold. That water was so cold on Sunday. We put on our wetsuits & did an easy 30-45 minute swim. I spent the rest of the day in my Halloween pajamas, laying on the coach, eating cookies & watching the first season of Beverly Hills 90210.

The next time you see these three faces, we'll be in Augusta!

Weekend Wrap Up: 56 Miles Edition

On Saturday, I got up at 4am to meet Cathy & Kristie, my Augusta friends, for our last long training ride. Kristie lives in Leiper's Fork, so we met at her house & rode from there. The plan was to ride at least 56 miles, 60 if we felt like it.

We decided to stop at mile 28 & either turn around & head back, or ride 2 more miles & make it an even 60. We hit 28 at exactly 2 hours. We went ahead & turned around. I only had enough nutrition for 4 hours, plus I was under-dressed & FREEZING.

So we rode 56 1/2 miles, which I'm super proud of. We were supposed to run a 3-mile brick after, but I only had time for 2 because I had 90 minutes to get from Leiper's Fork to my acupuncture appointment in East Nashville, hopefully with a shower in between.

I left acupuncture & went to a flat tire changing party. I learned how to change a flat a year or two ago, but I've never had to do it & there's no way I'd remember all the steps, especially in the middle of a race. With my friend Marne's help, I learned how to change a flat AND she made sure I won the prize that included everything my flat kit was missing, which was basically everything.

You know what feels great the morning after a 56 mile ride & 2 mile run? A 10 mile run. I'm so sorry, legs. Jaime met me at Belle Meade Blvd & ran the first loop with me, which helped. I actually got a second wind during the second loop & picked up my pace & ran an extra half mile. Who knows?!

After the run, I drove to the lake & swam for an hour with Cathy, Kristie & my NAC Masters friend Tammy. Cathy helped make sure the wetsuit was pulled over my shoulder properly & I swam pain-free. THANK GOD. I had acupuncture after my swim, which really helped my poor dead legs.

Back at home, John made crab cakes for dinner & we laid on the couch watching more Twin Peaks. I'm pretty sure I was asleep by 8pm.

Weekend Wrap-Up: Bike Ride To Smyrna Edition

I didn't take any pictures during my epic bike ride to Smyrna on Saturday, so here's a picture from a ride I did last week. On Saturday, not pictured, I met my friend Cathy in Brentwood to ride with our Jack & Back hosts again. They took us on a 50-mile ride from Brentwood to Nolensville, to Smyrna, back to Brentwood. It wasn't a great ride for me, but I still can't believe I rode my bike to Smyrna.

I met Lana for lunch at Korea House after my ride. I don't know why Korea House is so soothing to me after a long ride, but it really is. Maybe it's because I don't have to drive to get it. Back at home with a belly full of kimchi, I laid on the couch & finished reading Carsick by John Waters. Y'all, that book is nuts, but I loved it.

On Sunday, I met Lana & Jaime for a 6-mile run in the rain, which actually felt nice. They went on to Dose for coffee & breakfast biscuits, while I went home to get my wetsuit & drive to the lake. Sigh.

We swam for an hour, the first half of which was actually pretty painful for me as I apparently had my wetsuit on wrong. I think I didn't have it pulled up over my shoulder enough. I finally got out & adjusted it & it was better, but my shoulder has been sore ever since (I'm icing it).

John was actually in Maryland this weekend. Well, half of the weekend. His dad bought a new car & gave us his old pickup truck. So John flew to Maryland on Saturday afternoon, got the truck & drove through the night home. He was exhausted, I was exhausted. Cracker Barrel to the rescue. We spent the rest of Sunday laying on the couch regretting our food choices & watching Twin Peaks.

Weekend Wrap Up: Labor Day Edition

On Saturday, I joined my friend Cathy in Brentwood for a bike ride & brick. Cathy is doing Augusta, too. She has friends training for Jack and Back, so they let us tag along on their training ride. They took us on a 40 mile ride that went through Arrington Vineyards & College Grove. It was so nice to be off of the Trace! After the ride, we ran a 3 mile brick, which surprisingly felt good! Great training day!

I kind of blew it out, food-wise, on Saturday. After my ride, I met Lana for lunch at Korea House, which is apparently my recovery meal now. I didn't eat as much as I usually do, so a few hours later, I went to Sonic. And then a few hours after that, I went with John to Hattie B's. Korean food, fried food, dairy & hot chicken was probably not smart the night before a 10 mile run...

Little known fact: you can't wear headphones during triathlons. That half marathon I have to run after my 56 mile bike ride? I'll be running that alone with no music. So that'll be fun. Lana pointed out that maybe I should practice since I'm not used to running by myself. No one in my lady gang is training for anything right now, so I took Lana's advice & ran my 10 mile run on Sunday alone, with no music.

It actually wasn't that bad! I think all these weeks of riding for hours on end without talking has prepared me to run without talking. Who knew?

My legs were SORE, so John & I went to McKay to keep me upright & moving. I found a section in McKay that I've shockingly never found before - Speculation. Speculation! Lot of books on the Bermuda Triangle & a lot of books on unicorns. So, that.

We left McKay & decided to go see Ghostbusters, which was in theaters this weekend for it's 30th anniversary. It was hilarious to see a a movie from 1984 in a 2014 movie theater. It was also hilarious just to hear John laugh for 107 minutes, which he did, loudly.

Labor Day doesn't really apply to me anymore, but it hurts my extrovert feelings to know people are doing something without me. So I pretended that I also "had the day off" & joined Lana & Katie for a Labor Day Ladies Leisure Ride. We didn't have a plan, we just decided to meet at Katie's & see where the ride takes us. Well, the ride took us from Donelson to East Nashville to Metro Center. We stopped in Germantown & had lunch at Red Bicycle, then we rode back to Donelson. Hilariously, our "leisure ride" ended up being a 28-mile, 3 hour & 20 minute ride. Ha!

Thank you for the kind words regarding my last post.  That was difficult to write & I'm glad it was received with compassion & understanding.

Weekend Wrap Up: Fifty Miles Edition

On Friday night, I got my hair re-pinked. The pink highlights I got washed out, so I went back & got my hair legit dyed pink. Pink forever! Then I did my nails. DUH.

Saturday started at 4:45am. Because that's my life. Mary Katherine & I had to ride for 3 1/2 hours. Sick of our usual Trace route, we decided to start at the Garrison Creek rest stop. It took a lot longer to drive to than either one of us realized, but it was definitely a better ride. We rode out for 25 miles, turned around & rode back for 25 miles. I had never seen that part of the Trace, so the new scenery (& hills) were a much welcomed change.

Fifty miles is my longest ride. I wish I hadn't been sick (ish), but it does boost my Augusta confidence that I can ride for almost 4 hours while feeling like crap. After the ride, we did the world's shortest brick, realized it was noon & hightailed it out of there.

A big chocolate milk & a little stretching later, I felt back to normal. Actually, I felt hungry. So I drove to Korea House & treated myself to kimchi fried rice & a fried egg. It's become one of my favorite recovery meals. But also, I just love Korea House.

Sunday included a 9 mile run & a cook-out with good friends, none of which I took pictures of. But here's a picture of my bike!