Wedding Fever

I dropped an RSVP in the mail today that confirms I will be attending 4 weddings in 5 weeks. As wedding #1 is fast approaching, I realized that I need to figure out what I am wearing to all these weddings. Of course, all of them are very different types of weddings, so I can't exactly wear the same outfit to all four.

Wedding #1:

I will be performing this wedding will be at a farm in Leavenworth, so this outfit is probably the most important. While I want to look awesome (outshine the bride, if possible), the most important thing is the ability to dance the night away, not sink into the ground, and to not fall over while in front of all the guests. This is what I'm thinking:

Dark grey Patagonia dress, gold flat shoes from Born, "gold" F21 earrings.

Wedding #2

This wedding will be at an art gallery in Pasadena, and, I'm guessing, much fancier than wedding #1. No Patagonia dresses here. I'm not sure what I'm going to wear to this wedding. I have a gorgeous pink and purple silk Betsey Johnson dress that I might wear. It's not exactly the most forgiving dress in the stomach area, (ie food babies are extremely apparent) so I should probably have some sort of back up option in case of puffiness. Also, it's really hard to match shoes to it.

Wedding #3

I like to call this wedding the "It's a Small World After All" wedding, because one of my best friends from undergrad is marrying my ex-boyfriend's sister. The wedding is in a church, and I get to ride a ferry to get there.

I'm thinking this Free People skirt with a black top and brightly colored peep toe heels.

Is this acceptable? Can I wear a cream colored skirt to a wedding, or is that a faux pas? Unlike the mannequin, I will not be showing my stomach.

Wedding #4

This wedding is happening at a ski resort here in Lake Taco. There will be bbq and a blue grass band and then we are taking the after party to a nearby campground and staying there. Pretty casual, but hopefully filled with sexy bearded men.

I think I'm going to wear this dress that I got at a thrift store for about $15 bucks. I've already worn it to a wedding and my grad school graduation. Here is the classiest picture of me ever taken, at the aforementioned wedding, three glasses of wine deep during cocktail hour.

I am one classy lady.

I'll probably wear this dress with the gold shoes from the first wedding, and accessorize with a beer mug instead of a wine glass.

What do you think of my fashion options? Yes? No? Any good accessorizing tips? Tips for not being a hot mess (besides not drinking 3 glasses of wine during cocktail hour.)? Tips for hooking up with hottie groomsmen?

(Not) The Prettiest Run in Tahoe

Usually when I run, I like to run on trails or at least do a loop or two around my decidedly un-busy neighborhood. I hate running on the terribly uneven sidewalk next to a busy road, breathing in exhaust fumes from the hundreds of Escalades and Hummers that invade our town every weekend. But yesterday, I needed to pick up my roommate's car from the casino parking lot where she had parked to catch the airport shuttle at the ungodly hour of 3:30 am. I also needed to go for a run.

I decided to kill two birds with one stone and run/walk the 3 miles to the casino and pick up her car. This is not the prettiest run in Tahoe.

Actually, it didn't start out too bad:

It was kind of hazy out, but still pretty.

But I quickly came to the less scenic, more exhaust heavy part of the run.

I'm still getting used to my Saucony Kinvaras (and, let's face it, I haven't been running that much), so I decided to slow to a walk after about 2.25 miles, and walk the rest of the way.

Casino signs up ahead! I'm getting closer.

I made it to the MontBleu! I considered going in and having a 99 cent margarita, but the thought of breathing in smoke kind of made me want to barf.

Now, I just had to find Allison's car. I am not the world's most observant person, and, despite seeing it in our driveway every day, I couldn't quite remember if her Subaru Outback was green or blue.

I wandered up and down the rows of the parking lot looking. Luckily, this is not the PNW, where every third car is an Outback, and I found Allison's after only a few minutes of wandering. For the record, it's green. I'm 75% sure.

I'm enjoying my bright new shoes, and, while I'm not sure if it's due to the new shoes, or running on cement instead of trails, my legs definitely felt sore in a different sort of way.

After reading some very strong recommendations, I'm also experimenting with running while listening to an audiobook instead of music. So far, I'm really liking it. I'm listening to the audiobook of World War Z, which I've already read and loved. The audiobook version is amazing! (My dad told me it won some super prestigious audiobook award, and he is the king of audiobooks, so I'm sure he knows what he's talking about.) I would highly recommend it for running. What's more inspirational for running than thinking about hordes of zombies chasing after you?

Work to Workout Quick Change

Sometimes, I want to leave work and be sweating it up as soon as possible. One easy way, make workout clothes part of your work ensemble. Here I am, in one of my more stylish work outfits (we are a very casual office)- a navy cardigan, black top, and lacy skirt. However, the black top, which is mostly hidden by my cardigan, is a Prana workout top, and (like most days) I am wearing a sports bra.

Two easy steps- remove the cardigan, switch the skirt for shorts and bam! I am ready to go.

My parents left early this morning, so I skipped out of work a little early yesterday. We headed to the beach and rented a stand up paddle board. This was my first time going stand up paddle boarding, but it wasn't too difficult to get the hang of. It was a little bit windy though, and I definitely fell off once when a giant boat wake crashed by.

I did achieve my summer goal of doing a yoga pose on a stand up paddle board!

From here.

Although my poses were more in the Savasana and Uttanasana realm of difficulty, than the ones in the picture above

Triathlon Training - Week 8

Here's how triathlon training went for the week:

Monday:

Goal: 35 minute bike

Accomplished: 16 mile bike ride. We rode most of the bike course for the triathlon. There are some monster hills! We ended up riding a longer distance than the bike course (14 miles) because we took off on our ride a couple of miles before the start.

Tuesday:

Goal: Yoga, 17 minute swim

Accomplished: 35 minute swim. I switched swims to Tuesday/Thursday this week. It seems easier to get out of bed at 6:15 am on a Tuesday than a Monday, so this might become permanent.

Wednesday:

Goal: Weights, 35 minute bike ride

Accomplished: Brick- 38 minute mountain bike ride, 21 minute trail run.

Thursday:

Goal: 17 minute run, 17 minute swim

Accomplished: 30 minute swim. This swim felt awesome! I sped up my laps, and didn't feel like I was going to die. My parents came into town this afternoon, which definitely interfered with my training.

Friday:

Goal: 35 minute bike ride

Accomplished: Ummm...I did half of a bike commute...so, um a ten minute bike ride?

Saturday:

Goal: Rest day

Accomplished: My mom and I swam in Lake Taco for about 15 or 20 minutes. I love swimming with my mom.

Sunday:

Goal: 17 minute run

Accomplished: Threw rocks into the American River, watched HP 7.5 again, and splashed around in the MontBleu pool.

While I didn't do much (any) training while my parents were here, I stacked enough working out into the first half of the week that I got all of my minutes in swimming and biking, and a little over half running. So that was good. But I need to get better about getting my workouts in when my routine has changed.

Trail Brick and yet another bike

The last bike in my bike flock finally arrived and is all put together:

My road bike, stylish and triathlon ready. Now I just have to remember how to use clip on pedals and ride a road bike.

My complete bike flock, in my messy room.

Instead of taking my newly put together road bike out for a spin, I decided to do a Trail Brick. I drove my mountain bike up to the trailhead of Powerline Trail and rode for about 40 minutes.

Last time I rode Powerline, this bridge was submerged by a few inches of water, and I got wet feet crossing it.

I guess the water levels are finally going down. Maybe we'll actually have beaches sometime this summer. The "beach" by my house is just water up to the concrete barrier at this point.

While Powerline Trail has gorgeous views of Desolation Wilderness, it's not my favorite mountain bike trail to ride, which I never seem to remember until I am actually riding on it.

I stowed my bike back in my car, and headed out on a trail run. This was my first time running with my hydration pack. Since I only ran/hiked for about 40 minutes, I didn't really need it, but I had forgotten another way to store my car keys. Once I got the straps adjusted right, running with the pack wasn't too bad at all.

My legs definitely felt like bricks for the first 8 or so minutes of my run. I ran for about 25 minutes, with a couple of walking breaks. Then I walked back to my car for a nice cool down. I timed it perfectly- it wasn't too hot during the run, but I made it out of the woods before the mosquitoes got bad.

My new running shoes arrived, and, while I've walked around in them some, this was the first run I did. They're Saucony Kinvaras and they're definitely more minimalist than my previous shoes. I'm hoping that by strengthening my muscles instead of relying on insoles and cushion-y shoes, I can build up to higher mileage than I've been able to do in the past. Also, they are caution sign yellow-green, which I love.

I got so excited when I finished and saw that someone had left behind a free post-workout beverage for me to enjoy.

Unfortunately, it was a trick, and the PBR can was empty, despite looking unopened, and I had to stick with water, sadly.

All in all, it was a great first brick of my training season!

Awesome bike ride!

On Friday afternoon, I took advantage of a slower day and having arrived at 8 am, and left work at four. I planned ahead and had my bike and all of my gear in Strawberry, so I could leave right from work.

I headed out towards Meyers and Corral Trail yet again, but this time I was determined to ride the top part of Corral (I'd previously done Sidewinder from the trail head until it met up with Corral about halfway down).

While the 1100 feet of elevation gain in 2 miles is never what I would call fun, I had my most successful ride up it so far. The other times I'd ridden my Sanction (as opposed to my much lighter hardtail, I'd had to get off and push for awhile on three steep sections. This time I only had to push twice! Woo hoo! Baby steps. I also made it up in about a half an hour, a speed record on this bike.

High on my successful uphill push, I headed down the Corral branch of the trail for the first time. Corral Trail was rated a "black" for difficulty, which is harder than I usually do.

But I pushed through, and I rode my first rock garden! In fact, I rode 4 of them! I was so excited that I had to take a picture of one of them.

I definitely had to walk some sections further down on the trail, but between successfully tackling those rock gardens, most of a more difficult trail, and the climb up, this is how I felt about the ride.

Triathlon Training - Week 7

Here's how triathlon training went for the week:

Monday:

Goal: 17 minute swim, 35 minute bike

Accomplished: 25 minute run. The pool was closed due to "clarity issues". I went on a 25 minute trail run instead.

Tuesday:

Goal: Rest/Yoga

Accomplished: Yoga. Apparently my gym did switch yoga instructors on Tuesday nights. I really like the woman who teaches now, but the class is definitely more of a workout than the previous version.

Wednesday:

Goal: 29 minute swim, 46 minute bike

Accomplished: 35 minute swim in the morning, I missed out on my evening bike ride due to a work event, where I had to bird watch and get chased by mosquitoes.

Thursday:

Goal: 17 minute run, weights

Accomplished: 21 minute run, and I lifted weights! For the first time in forever! I busted out a speedy workout between work and Tour de France watching/stuffing bread and cheese in my face.

Friday:

Goal: 58 minute bike ride

Accomplished: 35 minute swim in the morning to make up for Monday's missed swim. After work, I went on an awesome mountain bike ride, that will probably be it's own post later.

Saturday:

Goal: Rest day

Accomplished: Bruce Springsteen party and hanging out in the Pearl Izumi factory store for way too long.

Sunday:

Goal: 26 minute run

Accomplished: hangover, Cheez-It eating, True Blood watching

Last week in review

Here's how triathlon training went for the week:

Monday:

Goal: 16 minute swim, 28 minute bike

Accomplished: Neither (oops...but it was the 4th of July. I floated on the aforementioned floatie)

Tuesday:

Goal: Rest/Yoga

Accomplished: Yoga/Biked about ten miles with all of my bike commuting that day

Wednesday:

Goal: 26 minute swim, 45 minute bike

Accomplished: 35 minute swim in the morning, 9 mile bike ride in the evening

Thursday:

Goal: 16 minute run, weights

Accomplished: 65 minute mountain bike ride on my Sanction, which is so heavy it is kind of like lifting weights.

Friday:

Goal: 53 minute bike ride

Accomplished: 10 mile bike ride, 35 minute swim

Saturday:

Goal: Rest day

Accomplished: "open water swim"

Sunday:

Goal: 26 minute run

Accomplished: Laundry, napping

I feel pretty good about last week, other than the fact that I didn't run at all. I enjoy biking and swimming so much more that it's difficult to get myself to run. I am off to a good start this week, as I went for a trail run yesterday with Katie and my roommate Allison. We pushed each other, and it was a perfect night for a run, other than the mosquito swarms.

CAMPING

After the craziness that is 4th of July weekend in Tahoe:

I needed to do something a little more low key. Sleeping in a tent and swimming at a (slightly) deserted beach were exactly what my body required. Luckily, a couple of Katie's friends were visiting from the Bay Area, and they had scored a coveted summer site at the campground at Sugar Pine Point State Park.

We left early (too early) Saturday morning for the West Shore, and we ended up arriving something like 4 hours before we could check in. We were more than happy to hang out on the beach until we could set up camp.

Secret Beach:
I need to try stand up paddle boarding. It looks like so much fun.

These pictures don't do justice to the color of the water in person. It is seriously turquoise. Like tropical ocean turquoise. Except not warm:

Perhaps Katie and I have acclimated to Lake Taco, but we definitely didn't think that the water was that cold. We spent a lot of time in the water, practicing our "open water swimming" for the triathlon.

Better than our last "open water swim" which involved pool floaties and cans of beer.

Reading by the campfire.

It's a little early for headlamps, but we wanted to be prepared. Katie may or may not have whiskey in her orange plastic cup. Hint: she does.

I'm just eating a Tofurky sausage (#2 of the night) out of a plastic cup. No big deal.

Three Things Thursday

1.) I know, I'm late to the game, but I just finished watching season one of True Blood, and I am hooked. It has a compelling plot and really attractive people in various stages of nakedness. That's all I'm looking for in a show.

Forget Edward, I am totally Team Eric. (from here)

2. I desperately need to do laundry right now. I am completely out of athletic socks, I only have uncomfortable/"sexy" underwear left, and I have been using my Dick Towel for showering, instead of hilarity.

3. Triathlon training has been going really well. I've been hitting all my work outs this week, and I am so sore. Especially between my shoulders (from swimming?). Due to the tightness in my back, I finally went to yoga in the first time in forever. This winter, I was really good about going weekly, and my doctor and chiropractor told me that I should definitely go for my back. Sadly, I haven't been since April or so. Because the schedule at my gym hasn't been updated, I didn't realize that there's someone new teaching the Tuesday night class. It was definitely more of a power/flow type than the more low-key type I was expecting. It was faster paced and more difficult, but probably really good for me. And now I have a new goal- headstands!

(from here)

Missed Connection?

To the guy in the truck who yelled. “Hey, bitch!” at me as I was biking home from the gym.

You: Male, late twenties to early thirties, black sleeveless shirt, tribal armband tattoo obviously dating from the time when your bicep muscle to fat ratio favored the muscle side of things, lip bulging with fresh chew.

Me: Female, late twenties, riding an awesome green and yellow Cannondale and wearing a white bike helmet (safety first!) waiting to cross the street at the corner of Lake Tahoe Blvd and Al Tahoe.

I considered your outburst during the rest of my ride home. While I first thought that I had unknowingly offended you – perhaps I strongly resemble an ex-girlfriend; maybe I had beaten you at bar trivia – I quickly realized what your exclamation must have been.

It was a declaration of affection. While you yelled, “Hey, bitch!” what you actually meant was “Oh, hey girl, I think you’re smoking hot in those extremely flattering gym clothes and that face-obscuring helmet. I’d like to take you out for beers and then try to get in your pants.”

I have to admit, “Hey, bitch!” is a lot quicker to say.

Though I am extremely sad I did not realize the true intent of your message immediately, I’m glad that I finally figured it out. While I am flattered by your interest in me, your truck is size “Overcompensating for Something”, so I’m going to have to turn you down.

Thanks though, and maybe work on your pick up lines. Other women might not be so perceptive, and just think that you’re a huge asshole.

Ultimate Break Up Mix

One thing that I am good at is making themed mix cd's. A good mix has just the right combination of classics and current hits, and hits a certain tone just right.

While some people think that break ups are a good time to wallow*, I personally think that a break up mix needs to be mainly upbeat, bouncy, fun, and sing-alongable.

I made this mix a couple of weeks ago for a friend, but as I've recently encountered some relationship upheaval, I have been blasting this in Strawberry as I drive with the windows down, or during my workouts or while I'm cooking, etc., etc.

So here it is, my Ultimate Break Up Summer 2011 Mix:

1. Fuck You by Cee Lo Green. Obviously the unedited version.

2. We R Who We R by Ke$ha.

3. Goodies by Ciara.

4. None of Your Business by Salt n' Pepa. Because if you don't want your Goodies to stay in the jar, it's None of Their Business.

5. Bottoms Up by Trey Songz featuring Nicki Minaj. Trey Songz can be my alcohol hero any time.

6. Fuck the Pain Away by Peaches. Break Up Mixes should not be appropriate for children.

7. Maneater by Hall & Oates. Just thinking about John Oates's mustache makes me feel better.

8. I Don't Feel Like Dancing by the Scissor Sisters.

9. How Many Licks? by Lil' Kim featuring Sisqo.

10. Tightrope by Janelle Monae featuring Big Boi. I can't embed, but do yourself a favor and go watch the video!

11. Everybody Get Up by Pitbull.

12. Girls Just Want to Have Fun by Cyndi Lauper. Also a wonderful 80s movie featuring Sarah Jessica Parker in her best role.

13. Raining Men by Rhianna featuring Nicki Minaj. How was S&M a single, and this not?

14. We Run This by Missy Elliot.

15. I Wanna Dance with Somebody by Whitney Houston.

16. Hey Baby by Pitbull featuring T-Pain.

17. I'm the Best by Nicki Minaj. Can you tell that I love myself some Nicki?

18. Freakum Dress by Beyonce. This is what I always think about when I listen to this song.

I love America's Best Dance Crew an unreasonable amount. Especially the first few seasons.

19. A Toast to Men by Willa Ford. I don't know why this song isn't a more well known girl power/man bashing anthem.

*Sometimes, though, you do just need to wallow. And when it is that time, the perfect soundtrack is, of course, the entirety of Jagged Little Pill by Alanis Morrisette. Oh, Alanis...how I love you...even when Jodi makes fun of me for it.

Scenes from this weekend

I hope everyone had a great weekend!

Mine consisted of a lot of sun, Sweet Tea Vodka, biking, beer, too many tourists, and swimming in Lake Taco.

I finally took my new full suspension bike onto Corral/Sidewinder trail. It's definitely noticeably heavier for the 2 mile ride up to the trail head.

Halfway up!

I'm excited to finally be at the top. I had to get off and push uphill twice with my heavier bike.

The view towards the end of Corral Trail

The very end of the trail, before it intersects with a gravel road that dumps you back at the parking area.

Enjoying beers in the sun at the new outdoor bar at MacDuff's.

My sweet 4th of July outfit

Katie's awesome outfit.

We are so serious about our patriotism.

Katie works in a building with a private beach and balcony overlooking the lake, (My office looks at a trailer park and a dumpster. I am so jealous.) so we headed there for 4th of July festivities. I spent a lot of time on a floatie in Lake Taco, drinking my beer, only coming to shore to eat more Smart Food. Eventually, more of Katie's coworkers and friends showed up, and we had a nice little beach party going on. Eventually, we moved inside and watched one of "the top 5 fireworks shows in the US" from their office balcony. I don't know who votes on the top fireworks shows in the nation, but the Lake Tahoe one was pretty impressive.

Then I walked home and laughed at all the cars stuck in the horrible traffic along Hwy 50.

Change of plans

I'm not going to Santa Barbara this weekend, because Dan and I broke up.