Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Double Tagged!

I keep getting tagged so here goes:

#1--I got tagged by Renee.

1. Find the book closest to you and turn to page 123.
2. Locate the 5th sentence.
3. Post in your blog the following three sentences.
4. Then challenge five others to do the same.

I'm picking Swimming to Antarctica by Lynne Cox because it RULES!

When I looked up to breathe, to confirm what he had just told me, off to my right side was the North Island, and I could see our starting point, jutting out ahead of us by three or four miles. When I lifted my head straight up, to see where the South Island should have been, all I saw in the distance was haze, and a sea of waves and heavy winds. It was impossible to think of cotinuing through it; I was exhausted.

FYI--This book is simply awesome. Check it!

#2. I also got tagged by NikeMom so here goes:
1. Link to your tagger and post these rules.
2. Share 5 facts about yourself.
3. Tag 5 people at the end of your post and list their names, linking to them.
Fact #1:
When I was little, I was super allergic to poison oak. If it was a hot, windy day, I could catch it just by standing next to a bush. I didn't even have to touch the leaves! During the last week of 6th grade, my little sister gave me chicken pox as I battled simultaneously with a particularly nasty bout of poison oak!

Fact #2:
I used to ride horses competitively. Specifically dressage. I was kind of good at it and absolutely love horses and riding. I started triathlon when my 3rd horse, George, passed away. I miss it and will someday resume riding again. However, I am grateful for the opportunity to explore the world and discover other paths like triathlon.

Fact #3:
I began training for my first half-marathon during the middle of a sweltering summer in St. Louis. I did not know anything about proper hydration at the time. I would run loops around Forest Park in the middle of the day sans water (there are few drinking fountains in the park as well). During one particularly hot run, I became so dehydrated that I conjured up an imaginary drinking fountain. When I ran over to quench my overwhelming thirst, the cruel fountain magically disappeared.

Fact #4:
I'm normally a very sound sleeper who could snooze through World War III but I've had insomnia 2x in my life, each time for about 2 weeks. The first was right after graduating from college and immediately before getting married. The second was right before defending my thesis in St. Louis. I also mysteriously broke out in hives during this time. Sleeping pills only made me feel worse and all attempts to catch some Zzzzzs were miserable failures. I finally gave up going to bed at night completely and instead painted (watercolors) all through the night.

Fact #5:
I've been to Tempe Arizona two times, both of which instigated record highs. The first was for the Soma Half Ironman in late October 2007. Temps reached the upper 90s that day. The second was for Ironman Arizona April 2008. Temps were, hmmm, let's see...upper 90s that day. How many people still want me to come spectate in November?

Okay, now it's your turn. The following five fellow bloggers have been double-tagged:
James
Beth
Chad
BunnyGirl
Michelle

2 comments:

RoadBunner said...

I love that Lynne Cox book! I also read another book by her, I think called "Graym" about a time she swam with a lost baby whale.

I mentioned this to BunnyGirl (who also used to ride horses) that a lot of rabbit people seem to also be horse people! I rode horses for 10 years and miss it a lot. I used to volunteer with a rabbit rescue group and all three of the women who helped out on my day were equestrians.

Renee said...

That is awesome you used to ride dressage! I hope you get a chance to start riding again sometime soon. Luckily riding is a sport for a lifetime so it is something you can always go back to!