What's Mer up to??

I'll admit, going from training 20 plus hours a week to absolutely nothing is hard...and especially because by this time every year, I have my schedule planned out for the next year. But, 2009 won't be much of a racing year for me, as Dave and I are hoping to start a family.....but, I also know these things can take as quickly or "forever and a day,"......so, i'm not 100% keen on stopping cold turkey with my training, but I also don't want to sign up for a major event and be disappointed if I can't race.

So....i'm already up swimming and biking..and power walking. GRRR. I hate walking, to me, i'd rather run slowly than walk, I don't know why. I'm a slow walker, so I guess i'd rather just run slow or sit =0. I started earlier this week on my swimming. I've swum twice, power walked most days and I rode on Wed. for 30 minutes and then yesterday I rode for two hours. I know, i'm supposed to be easing back into it, but I feel good. My legs aren't even sore from my two hour ride yesterday, and man, it felt GREAT to be out there!

I'm trying to find a balance between "absolutely nothing and all out". So..if I had my way, i'd like to run maybe every day, swim twice a week, and bike one time short during the week and then try to keep up a weekend somewhat long ride.

I'm also...newly unemployed. Very long and irritating story, coupled with a boss who is somewhat manipulative and unable to manage effectively. However, i'm collecting unemployment, so we have some dough coming in off the dole =0, and when I find a new job, i'll go from there.....so, you can imagine me: no training and no job......yikes. I crave structure so i'm going to do the best I can in the upcoming weeks. Stay tuned.

Here's what i've been up to: (I think you can click on the pictures to make them bigger)


Hanging with my parents in La Jolla Cove...day after Thanksgiving
Chillin with my little nephew Finn.....isn't he the cutest little guy ever??
Doing my part in consuming calories lost during Ironman...with my dad, Dave, mom, Jeff (bro in law), and Dawn and the little kiddos....
Watching double trouble---my nieces Skyler and Mia fully absorb the ocean......in their clothes..brrrr...they loved it!
Proof!! Lucky for their dad, he got to go in too! =0
This is the extent of my running....25 yards...Thanksgiving Day.....just because I wanted to see if I could still run.
Oh, yeah, I chased Skyler too......
My sister Dawn and I...getting suckered in at 9:00 p.m. the night before Thanksgiving to help my mom make a pie and stuffing.....gotta love having a mom who is type A. I swear her favorite saying "It's SO easy you can make it the night before." Seriously mom, you could have your own show.
I wish I could have days like this every day.....days with Dave in La Jolla cove......mixed in with all members of my family. Ironman and Thanksgiving were SO awesome for us-----I saw my whole family in a short amount of time.......very cool!

Now about that Christmas tree we've had for a week with lights....and the ornaments that are still sitting there...better get on that!!! Rock on!