Robots Don't Know Everything

which is kind of comforting, really.

[click to enlarge]

And Every Little Thing

gonna be alright.

Blah. Sorry to leave things on such a negative note for so long. I have about a half-dozen half-started posts in the hopper, but just haven't taken the time to finish them out. Here's a quick one, though.

I have 33 amazing friends who have joined my team for the upcoming Bike MS 150-mile event in the Sedona Verde Valley. I put together the group as a way to raise money for the National MS Society, and when I was registering the team, I was blanking on a team name. I ended up just using a nickname that a lot of my triathlon friends call me (which is almost always some variation on my initials), and thus Team K-Lar was born. (In hindsight, I kind of regret naming the team after myself because it makes me feel kind of douchey every time I refer to it, but there it is.)

Tonight, my friend Lauren pointed this out to me:

So "Klar' is a word in German, it means 'ok' or 'clear'. And there is a phrase "Alles Klar" that means "everything is alright". I think this phrase needs to find its way into everyday use immediately. Only if you are REALLY in the know, you will say "Alles K-Lar".

That just made my night, because on May 18th and 19th, 30+ people are going to be out there wearing jerseys with my name on it, supporting me and people like me, in celebration of the fact that everything currently is--and hopefully will continue to be--alright.

The Effing 13%

I avoided it for one hundred thirty two days.

Approximately 13% of individuals using Copaxone will experience, at one time or another, a transient reaction immediately after injection. This reaction includes flushing or chest tightness with heart palpitations, anxiety, and difficulty breathing.

They really nailed that description. Let me tell you, it's all kinds of fun to experience alone.

I know I have a lot of things to be grateful for, and I'm trying my hardest to stay positive and upbeat about this whole stupid situation, but sometimes it just really, really sucks.

They Will See Us Waving From Medium Heights

'cause I got pretty decent seats.

SO excited!

The Roots Of My Being

My family is my greatest blessing.

I got this email from my mom today:

Today your Grandma would have been 93.
 

I just wanted to remind you where you came from – the roots of your being. 

Your Grandparents were your fan club, your cheerleaders, and from the day you were born – prayed for you every day of their lives. They were very proud of all of you and I’m sure are still smiling down on each of you.

I don’t think a day goes by that they do not pop into my thoughts – some little reminder, from the Ram Truck commercial about farmers during the Superbowl, to thinking about reNOVonating our house.

We have been truly blessed – not by perfection – but by parents/grandparents that wanted only the best for all of us and gave their all to make that happen.

Wishing you happy memories on Grandma’s birthday.

Love, Mom

Truly blessed indeed.

Race Schedule 2013

So far...

January 1st - Commitment Day 5K
January 26th - Color Run 5K
February 3rd - Runner's Den Double Down (5K followed by 10K)
February 17th - Austin Half Marathon
February 22nd & 23rd - Ragnar Relay Del Sol
March 23rd - Neon Run 5K
March 24th - Tri for the Cure
May 5th - Esprit de She Triathlon
May 18th & 19th - MS 150 Bike Ride

All I can think about is how I need to find something for April.


I have a problem.

2012: A Year In Review

All the cool kids are doing this, so I guess I better do it, too.

1. What did you do in 2012 that you’d never done before?
Completed an Ironman, got an MRI and a lumbar puncture, went on a cruise, went zip-lining, gave myself a shot, ran a 5K (seriously!).
2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I think making it through the Ironman training and race happy and injury-free was the only real goal I had for this year, so yeah. I did it.
Next year I'd like to not travel quite so much, save a little money, and, you know, finally meet someone.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Yes! My sister-in-law and my Aunnee.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
No, not this year.
5. What places did you visit?
What places didn't I visit? I made trips to Colorado, Idaho, Nebraska(x2), Toronto, Georgia(x2), Illinois, Indiana, North Carolina, Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands, Barbados, St. Lucia, St. Kitt's, St. Maarten, and California. I threw in a few quick local trips to Flagstaff and Tucson for good measure.
6. What would you like to have in 2013 that you lacked in 2012?
A financially stable workplace. Love.
7. What dates from 2012 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
June 24th - Completed Ironman Coeur d'Alene. The best day of my life so far.
June 29th - Diagnosed with MS. The worst.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Ironman was the big one, both training and racing. It was a huge commitment and a huge challenge, but I made it through all of the training and had a fantastic race weekend.
9. What was your biggest failure?
Staying consistently active during the second half of the year. I struggled with a little post-diagnosis depression during the summer/early-fall, and found it hard to get back into a rhythm.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Only of the incurable autoimmune variety. And also I'm seriously allergic to either cruise ships or the Caribbean; purchasing Benadryl from the ship convenience shop was a painful but necessary $20 experience.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
Renting that house in Coeur d'Alene was pricey but fantastic. Also that cruise ship Benadryl.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
My friends and family who rallied around me during the highs and lows of late June. I'm so very blessed.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
The mass shooters that have burst onto the scene this year. Even just having to type shooterS--as in more than one--is appalling.
14. Where did most of your money go?
Mortgage, Ironman, travel.
15. What did you get really excited about?
My new niece. Ironman (duh). Finding out that Keffy is going to have twins. My September vacations.
16. What song will always remind you of 2012?
Ho Hey by The Lumineers
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:

a) happier or sadder? A little sadder.
b) thinner or fatter? A little fatter.
c) richer or poorer? A little poorer.

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Biking and running post-IM. Swimming can suck it.
19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Traveling, actually. I love it, but I think it's become a little bit of an escape from reality for me. That's not so great.
20. How did you spend Christmas?
At home in Nebraska with my amazing family. I look forward to this all year, every single year.
21. Did you fall in love in 2012?
I did not.
22. What was your favorite TV program?
Parks and Recreation hands down. I'm also really enjoying Dexter.
23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
No.
24. What was the best book you read?
Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption by Laura Hillenbrand
25. What music did you get excited about?
The Lumineers, Ben Howard
26. What did you want and get?
A sub-17hr IM finish.
27. What did you want and not get?
A sub-16hr IM finish.
28. What was your favorite film of this year?
Movies I saw in the theater: The Avengers, Salmon Fishing in the Yemen, The Hunger Games, Madagascar 3, Brave, Ted, ParaNorman, Frankenweenie, For A Good Time, Call..., The Hobbit, The Perks of Being a Wallflower, Hotel Transylvania, The Five Year Engagement, Magic Mike, The Dark Knight Rises, Pitch Perfect, The Bourne Legacy, Looper, A Royal Affair, The Silver Linings Playbook, Life of Pi.
The worst: Magic Mike, hands down.
The best: For A Good Time, Call... Also really loved Brave and The Perks of Being a Wallflower.
29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I worked, and then went to dinner with two of my favorite ladies. I turned 30 this year.
30. What one thing would have made your year more satisfying?
Probably saving more money. It's lots of fun to travel all the time and do fun things, but I think having a good, solid savings plan again would be satisfying in a different way.
31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2012?
I don't really have one? It's pretty much influenced by how cold my office is likely to be, and which end of my perpetual 10-pound weight fluctuation I'm at.
32. What kept you sane?
Long talks with htd and Cassie.
33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Real person: Robert Downey, Jr.
Character: Ben Wyatt on Parks & Rec.
34. What political issue stirred you the most?
The election. The gun control discussion.
35. Whom did you miss?
My friends and family scattered across the country. I did my best to visit as many of them as possible; hopefully some of them are able to return the favor in 2013.
36. Who was the best new person you met?
I finally got to meet Bree and Thister in real life; they're both fantastic!
37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2012.
You can't control or judge how other people deal with your bad news.
38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
I get knocked down, but I get up again. (Aaaaand now you have that song stuck in your head. Mwahaha!)

Here's to only good things in 2013.