The Rookie from the rock

May the Fourth be with you

2010-05-04T18:06:00.002-04:00

Love that btw Crystal...you crack me up.

Got up at 5 this morning and enjoyed my morning coffee on the deck watching one of the most beautiful sunrises ever. I've seen many a sunrise in my day, but they are usually the result of still being up, not just getting up. The one on the banner above was taken from the Steamship leaving Nantucket one morning in March.

The first part of the PMC is 45 miles of hills out West. Seeing as how Nantucket is fairly flat, I have to get creative with my hill training so I head to a rather inner island area and work the residential area streets. I caught a couple of odd looks from early risers as I dropped my bike into a low gear and stayed in saddle climbing their roads, repetitively at dawn, but luckily no arrests were made. My favorite thing about my morning rides is seeing Nantucket slowly. It is so damn gorgeous here; I pedaled out along the eastern side of Miacomet Pond and the views truly are breathtaking.

Goal: Rotating 15 mile rides and 30 mile rides, work permitting of course.

May Day

2010-05-03T07:04:00.003-04:00

Sunday was absolutley amazing, and a couple of us decide to "do the loop". The loop is a 15 miles circle around the mid portion of the island, and by far the longest stretch of ride with the least amount of turns.

Except for one. Which caught me off guard; luckily there was a tree with low lying branches there to slow me down. My right side looks like it lost a fight to a kitten. Awesome.

Sorry for the laziness with the blog as of late. This wagon tipped slightly over my birthday, but now I'm back on FT.

4 days left

2010-04-13T21:20:00.000-04:00

4 days left until the beginning of the end, so I hit the gym with a purpose and try to make today count, along with the next 3, as I know all of my good work is getting undone this weekend. I push myself on the elliptical to maintain the 9+ marker for 5 minute intervals. Nothing too remarkable otherwise. Gearing up for Boston, and I don't mean the Marathon.

Be kind

2010-04-12T20:29:00.001-04:00

Be kind to yourself when you practice yoga.

Go slowly, especially in the beginning, and listen to your body. It knows what it can do. If it says "stop," then stop. Don't push it. Yoga is not a competitive sport. If you push too hard, you probably won't enjoy it, and you may hurt yourself. I've pushed too hard and pulled something before, and it kind of sucked. Whenever possible, work with a teacher, and use books, videos and websites to supplement your classroom instruction. Most of all, stick with it. If you practice, you will improve. And you will feel better.

These last few months rotating between yoga and cardio have made me more flexible, stronger and simply feel better. Except of course when the voices in my head are going on and on about nothing, but that's par for the course of my winters on an island.

But I have come so far in practice; I can sit in pigeon and drop my forehead to my foot with ease. I can hold side plank for 1 minute, and a back bend for twice as long. My camel pose isn't necessarily a pretty one, but it's mine and I can do it.

Now, if I could just modify my running from herd of elephants to quiet gazelle...

The Clean Slate...it's not just a Riesling

2010-04-11T08:40:00.001-04:00

Now that I blew it out on Saturday with the girls on the Cape, I have a nice fresh clean slate to start over with. Strange right, how without talking about it or addressing the problems 99% can go away after a nice night out. I'm sure they will be back, and much of my stress in the last few weeks came along with the dreaded month of you-know-what but I have hit my stride and am back on my A-game. Bring it on work.

Despite the big hot mess I am when I get back on the Rock (and the even bigger hot mess I found in my house...thermostat on all weekend and dead flowers, wine explosions etc), I have a coffee break with girlie Amanda and power thru the day. Yoga was at 10, so I've got to get myself together and handle it on my own. Rodney Yee, in my living room.

Pushing out the toxins, stretching the body, and relaxing the mind. I think about the last week of my life and all of the conversations I have had. They all rush back at once.
This too shall pass, I write to niece Maddison Saturday night, upon hearing of a life dilema from the West Coast.
Shit happens Jess, I advise over a Grey Goose Saturday night, Be stronger than the problem itself and rise above it. You kick ass, you can do it.
So everyones life is a little nuts right now, right? I think to myself, the proverbial spring fever perhaps?
Jami blames all of our problems on the economy, which is a great scapegoat since it has no voice and can't defend itself. I like this approach, and it always makes me smile when she states this theory.

I move outside, into the beautiful sunshine and practice my warrior sequence on the deck. The sun is beaming down on me, and while it's not necessarily warm it feels nice on my face. I squint up, and sun salutation a few times. My neighbors are probably looking out their windows wondering what the hell I am doing now, considering that last week my yard was littered with cava swilling friends at Easter brunch.

I finally realize I haven't eaten today, in 24 hours to be exact. I've got a whole weekend of work to do, and an entire week ahead to prep for. I conclude my sesh with lying on my back by the Hydrangeas and basking in the light, eyes closed and mind free (easy to free mind today, it can't handle much). This posture is called savasana or corpse which is very suitable today.

5 days left...must make each one count.

Saturated Saturday

2010-04-10T21:13:00.000-04:00

Well, this was a bit of a lapse backwards, but it was still fun. The bar-hopping butterfly came out on Saturday on Cape Cod.

I overnighted at Lori's Friday night, and after sushi at Inaho we called it a night. Saturday morning, we shared a pot of coffee and stared out the window at the sunshine. That's it, Lori exclaimed, get ready Melissa we are going to the beach.

So we packed a bag of bubbles and headed up 6A to Brewster and sat with our faces to the sun, toes in the sand and flutes in hand and toasted to the beginning of the season. After our bottle was done, we headed to a local seafood restaurant for a late bite (complete with more bubbles) then back to Loris for yet for afternoon drinks in the sunshine. Jessica ventured over from New Beige and the 3 of us hit downtown Hyannis for dinner, and bottle upon bottle of Villa Sandi Prosecco and St Germain. We found some live music, and ordered cocktails and let the good times roll. Turns out Hyannis can be quite happening, despite my guetto impression.

So, suffice it to say, I don't have to elaborate on how bad Sunday was.

Come on Nike...

2010-04-09T18:25:00.001-04:00

Tim Tebow got a Nike contract? I may jump off the Sagamore today.

Out like a lamb

2010-04-08T04:54:00.000-04:00

You can all breath a deep sigh of relief. It's the moment you have all been waiting for. March. Is. Over. Officially. Fin. Complete. (It's a strange work calender, I am aware it is April 8th to everyone else).

And I made it. Everything. Goals, Cores, Quotas, Dollars, Cases. Exhausted, yes. But def slept better knowing this is behind me. I can probably take the next week off, as the good people of Nantucket aren't going to need any wine for a while due to my psychotic tendencies as of late. Curious looks from an older gentleman at the gym this AM as I was counting dollars out loud and speculating on the days business on the treadmill. If someone ever approached me with a straight jacket, I swear I would welcome it.

Now...let's have a close look at April. Uh-oh...that's a problem.

Back in the Saddle

2010-04-07T11:19:00.000-04:00

My friend Jess lent me this amazing book that has me completely trapped and crying all of the time. I woke up at 3am and crawled to the couch and started reading this morning.

And, off to the gym for a quick hop on the elliptical, then to Jami's 7am Triathlete Spin. The 4 of us (5 if you count JL) are all in training for something, and it's really quite amazing to be in a group of girls that are so intense and focused. Jami takes no prisoners in this class either; she screams and commands and makes us perform to 110% of our ability and has no shame in calling you out by name should you drop the ball in class. For example, today she was pushing 102 temperature but you would never know it. Felt great to be back after a slight hiatus from class. Thanks for the push JL.

2 monthaversary

2010-04-06T09:14:00.000-04:00

April 6th marks 2 months since 1) signed up for the Pan-Mass, 2) started training and 3) started this blog. I celebrated by having a sushi roll at Lola for lunch and getting back on my diet to knock off these last 5.
I spent the morning on the elliptical; did 7.5 miles in an hour which is a big deal for me. Again, not a runner.
Tomorrow: back in the saddle for spin after a 2 week break. Very exciting!

March 30-April 5

2010-04-05T18:06:00.000-04:00

1) Vacation request approved. Most amazing news, and so stoked to kick it on the coast of Georgia with my girls in June.
2) Easter brunch was the best!
3) Hit 60 on the island. Flip flops are a permanent feature.
4) Got pretty much the most amazing birthday present ever...thanks so much Dad and Marilyn!
5) Discovered that, no matter what I am told, i can rise above it and move any obstacle out of my way.
6) DK makes kick ass sticky buns.
7) Down 20 el bees. Hells Yes!

Happy Easter!

2010-04-04T20:22:00.001-04:00

Happy Easter to all; Sunday brunch was great and many thanks to everyone who came by. We did our weigh-out for BFL2010 and I am down 20 el bees. 20. 5 more to go, regardless of what the Wii Fit tells me.

Slim Shady says...kick ass

2010-04-03T17:16:00.007-04:00

Good Friday my ass. Sorry for the sacrelege; quite possibly in my top 3 suckiest days of 2010.

So Good BYE Friday and on to Saturday. I'm up before the sun and power clean my office, and rock out and organize my samples for the week, type up and print my proposals, start prepping for Easter Brunch, then bolt for the club at 8:30. There is so much caffeine coursing through my blood I nearly get out of the car before I put it in park.

Too much stress and negative energy are riddling my body that I can barely sign in. Onto the elliptical for 45, the treadmill for 30 and bike for 45. I'm so over it all that I don't even care that the gym hasn't upgraded the cable boxes and I can't watch ESPN while I run. This has been pissing me off for weeks on end, but I am too busy having a mental fistfight in my mind about any 10 things that I don't even realize that informercials are rolling. But I still want a slap chop...

The ipod is on shuffle and on comes Eminem, "Look, if you had one shot, one opportunity to seize everything you ever wanted…one moment would you capture it or just let it slip?"

I start the song over and listen again. Am I really taking life advice from Eminem? I crack up for a minute, wipe my brow and skip to the next song. He's a Loser...

Journey, I think, I just can't go there right now. Sorry small town girl...maybe that white boy from Detroit was onto something...although it is a lonely world.

A bestie Jami gives her medals from her marathons to her toddlers and states that she runs to teach them to kick ass essentially. Jami does and Bailey and Mayson will. At 4 and 3 I can see that they will be great at whatever they attempt when they are all grown up and slugging their way thru careers, relationships, frienships and every other hand grenade life tosses their way.

Why am I not kicking ass here? I've gotten thru worse than this crap. I think back to all of the nightmares in life I have fought my way through in my life, and realize that while I have lost a couple of things and let it slip before, that I am stronger than any obstacle in my way. I resolved to make 2010 "The best year ever", and so far the first quarter has slightly disappointed.

Raise the bar Saunders, I hear Megan say, when I left a shaky relationship once upon a time, in the dark of night. I did Megs.

Be kind to yourself and press on, writes Catie after my last break-through in yoga, after a mental breakdown. I'm trying Catie...I'm trying.

Get your shit together Melissa, you can destroy this, I think as I gasp for air, realizing that I had been holding my breath, and I will destroy this next quarter with work, kick ass all summer, rock the Pan Mass and make myself smile more because of me, what I do and have done, not what I am told I should or can't do.

Ladies...kick ass. I know we can do it. Be the alpha.

The Day of Diva Jen

2010-04-02T22:31:00.004-04:00

It's a week or so late, and for that I apoligize but here are my favs from Jen's birthday at the beach.

April is here!

2010-04-01T21:25:00.000-04:00

April 1st...Thank God. See you March; hopefully next year I will be marking your days off my calender from a beach somewhere.
So the goal is to introduce swimming into the mix in April, for toning purposes. It will also help me in not needing an ipod on the ride maybe, as I obvi can't swim with music. This development will be documented.
Off to the Cape tonight for dinner with the work peeps then office on Friday. Such a joyous occassion the office.
Nearly broke the elliptical today, in an effort to release some leftover March stress and tension. Still have a ways to go to catch myself from last year.

Time of your life

2010-03-31T17:59:00.003-04:00

My mind still races in yoga...I can't shut it out Catie. Please assist.

Sometimes life makes you choose between 2 things which are equally appealing. Actually I guess I should say more often than not, life makes you choose between 2 things of equal appeal. Always assume and treat your life as though you made the right decision. Besides, you will never know otherwise as the variables always change.

Don't spend too much time looking in the rear view mirror; keep your eyes focused not on where you have been but where you are headed. If you spend too much time looking over your shoulder or behind, then God only knows what you could stand to run into ahead. Life is full of surprises and unfortunately, land mines. Keep your eyes on the road.

Never regret any decision. We can't change the past but we can only learn from our mistakes and pave the way for a successful next few miles.

Donna Hernandez

2010-03-30T03:13:00.000-04:00

My first friend ever was Dana Hernandez, who lived in our neighborhood in Summerville SC. After I moved to Georgia, my dad stayed in SC and Dana and I countinued our friendship over 3 day weekends every other month, summers and holidays.
Dana's mother "miss Donna" just celebrated her 60th birthday, and much to my chagrign I learned from the world wide facebook that she deserves a spot on my ride list.

---------------------------------------------------------------
Between Dana Hernandez and You

Melissa Saunders Meyer March 28 at 6:45am
Dana, I had no idea about your mom. Please know that I am praying for her and her speedy recovery. I'm actually riding in this bike race in August here in Massachusetts called The Pan-Mass challenge which raises funds for Dana Farber...just shy of 200 miles! I've added Miss Donna's name to my "ride for" list :-) If you have a chance to do a little bio about her that would be awesome so me to post. the blog is rookiefromtherock.blogspot.com and don't let my language offend you.
love and cheers!
Melissa

Dana Hernandez March 29 at 12:34pm
Hey Melissa!I am actually here in Austin visiting the Detwilers this weekend! ( was in dallas for work and made a long weekend out of it). Yeah, mom was diagnozed in May of last year with stage 3b breast cancer. She did have a bi-lateral mastectomy in October, and Chemo, and just finished radiation. We are still waiting for the "all clear"So thanks for adding her to the list of people you are riding for! That sounds awesome! let me know how it goes :) I checked out your blog...fun :)im off to enjoy some sun and heat now, we dont have that in Kansas City, where i now live, as i am sure you dont yet in Massachusetts :)

March 23-29

2010-03-29T13:01:00.003-04:00

7 more great things...
1) Allison and Kiley beat me to the finish line in the race to our birthdays. You go girls.
2) I can count on one hand how many days are left in March.
3) Yoga for Athletes...is awesome.
4) 2 lbs are gone again. And took 2 more with them.
5) Got to catch up with an old friend on the Cape...Amanda Fant!
6) Reconnected with Dana Hernandez, my globe-trotting bestie childhood from Summerville SC.
7)Got tickets to Wine Riot chamagne night! Be scared Boston, be very scared.

Yoga for Athletes

2010-03-28T11:16:00.000-04:00

I recentley aquired some "Yoga for Athletes" (please keep your laughter to a minimum), which is a collection of 15 minute yoga sessions for tennis, cycling, running etc. Since the next few weeks are my crunch time professionally, and I am not wanting to miss my yoga training, I figure this is great for keeping up.

I change into some gear, finish my coffee, and drag the coffee table out of the living room, while I wait for the DVD to load.

At this point it is worth mentioning one strange thing about my body and it's tolerance to heat. I grew up in the steaming inferno known as South Georgia, and spent summers in more steaming and hotter infernos known as Texas and Mexico. This has tempered my body to withstand heat and temperatures up in the 100's. Now I am by no means suggesting that I am pleasant to be around when it is in the 100's, but I'm not a sweater. It's weird, and I actually have started wearing pants when working out in order to "work up" the proverbial sweat that everyone goes on about. The exception here is yoga. For some reason I can pedal 20 miles in an hour and be dry and clean, but make me hold my body in side plank and we have a real mess on our hands.

It's also worth mentioning that my house is like Grand Central Station, with a constant flow of traffic and friends coming in and out for coffee and tea and meals.

So my clothing is at a minimum and I have my scantily covered rear up in down-dog thinking...Hope no one walks in the house unannounced. If you found this blog, then you know I'm a prude, and totally the girl at the gym that wears her clothes into the shower.

The cycling video is an awesome warm-up, then I move on to the Running. I realize I don't have to watch him, that I can hear the commands and know the poses so I can take out my visual senses and overthink about life.

If I make my numbers this month, I think in my modified camel pose, it will be freaking miracle. Maybe I can split the difference somehow and get halfway there.

After a 45 minute session, I pop into the kitchen and scavange for food. Mmm...I think, my eyes lingering over a wedge of cheese. I grab a bag of edamame from the freezer and put on a pot of water to boil.

Halfway Melissa, halfway.

Out like a Lion that is...

2010-03-27T21:10:00.001-04:00

Oh my...I'm not sure what happened but when I ventured out of bed to get ready for our 30 miler on the bikes today, I quickly said a prayer that someone else would acknowledge the bitter cold out. Luckily Scott Allan did, only to result in us being called profane and not so nice names by my husband, the true Yankee who declares 70 to be warm.

So off to the Westmoor for an hour of cardio. As March closes to an end, I realize a couple of unfortunate things.
a) my resolution to work on my core has fallen by the wayside.
b) there is no way I am coming close to my March numbers at work.
c) I have gained back 2 lbs. EFFF!!!
c1) which can be blamed on 2 off-island wine junkets.

So I am back to my 110%, as this is the final stretch for "The Big Fat Loser" competition as well. Easter Sunday is the big final weigh in...which makes me wonder when exactley Scott Thomas is getting back from South America?

Watched "Couple Retreat"; damn you Vince Vaughn you make me laugh.

7:55pm...just inhaled 4 slices of Pi Pizza (thin crust so it's better?). Will modify diet tomorrow.

Wii Fit lies...

2010-03-26T08:58:00.001-04:00

So the Wii Fit told me that I am some 22 lbs overweight, and upon registering my weight, gave my character a muffin-top and bad posture. And they wonder why bulimia and anorexia are problematic in America's youth...
Later it commented on my "center of gravity" and "flexibility" (thank you yoga)! It also commented on my good posture, but my avatar is still hunched over, and may have a black eye from the exercise that involves soccer balls flying at you, with cleats and watermelons peppered in. Even though it's on TV...I still close my eyes.

Wii Fit

2010-03-25T08:11:00.000-04:00

A girlifriend just gave me a Wii Fit; a new and exciting mix to my life. Stand by for updates.

Nantucket Iron Man

2010-03-24T06:52:00.000-04:00

Totally doing this by the way...building a team and checking this off the list. Jenne and Eric are in for the opening run and paddle, respectively and I am tackling the bike. still waiting to hear from some friends who expressed interest last night at Verneys birthday!
2.9 mile run...Jenne Verney
0.9 mile paddle...Eric Verney
3.5 mile beach run...
0.5 mile swim...
18 mile ride...moi
6.5...

So there are some missing links but I have faith!

Big Day for Eric and Allie

2010-03-23T22:47:00.002-04:00

Tuesday is my first official day with the new boss and sideways rain to boot. Welcome to Nantucket in the Spring Sterling!
After my work day, we headed over to Jenne and Erics for some pizza and cake (best.cake.ever) in celebration of Eric's birthday. We were late, it was a surprise, you know the routine :-) Got to catch up with the Verneys, Tess and Sully, and Matt and Kerith.
And a very special shout out to Allison on her 30th in Saint Simons. I wish I was there girlie...miss you heaps! Hope it was wonderful!

March 16-22

2010-03-22T20:39:00.001-04:00

Cool things that happened this week...as promised from 30 day countdown
1) Got to spend time with each of my girls and catch up one-on-one. Love it when that happens.
2) Jen's birthday dinner at Lola 41. Sushi and Champagne!
3) Went to the beach on Wednesday; chilled out on a towel with my iPod and the new Chelsea Handler book.
4) Wore my new pretty pink party shoes for 10 hours straight without a blister developing.
5) Went away on an over-night and came home to a clean house; this is a rare but joyous occassion.
6) Did an hour on the elliptical at 7+mph; personal record.
7) Average a 2:51 sec mile on the bike.

Jen's Birthday

2010-03-21T08:51:00.006-04:00

Sunday is Jen's birthday and woo-hoo! Not intended to be a day "off" from training, so I hit the gym early for 45 on the elliptical and 30 on the bike. Sushi and bubbles are in the mix for later, so my food intake is truly a hunt and gather situation!

Jami and Jane set up shop out on the south shore with a wine bag of booze, a platter of cupcakes, and some snacks. The weather is most stunning, and I grab Jen from her folks after a family birthday brunch and we crank ABBA and head out. Subsequently, what should have been a 90 second drive turns into 3 ABBA songs and a phone call to Jami due to my natural lack of direction.

But upon our arrival, the bubbles flowed and we sat around and enjoyed what is likely to be voted the best day yet of 2010. It was sooo nice to sit and hang with the girls, as our lives are cranking up and gettting nuts as the season edges our way.

After the beach days closes to an end, we caravan around to change, then pop over to Lola 41's Red room for some sushi and (more) Champagne! The night is awesome, and totally ends with Jen demanding to find a kareoke bar...love that girl.

more pictures to follow...

Sunny Saturday

2010-03-20T20:39:00.002-04:00

Wow! The sun came out with a vengeance on Saturday! First outdoor ride of the season! It was a little windy, which definitely adds a splash of resistance. In addition, I let my husband lead the course, which results in my walking the bike thru empty parcels of land that he demands on cutting thru. I ride without my iPod for about 10 minutes and almost have a fit, so I realize that time is of the essence in addressing this situation for the actual ride.

One of the good folks on my ride for list is Mickey Danoff, my husband's platform tennis partner. Mickey was diagnosed in the fall with pancreatic cancer, and after several treatments in Boston is back on the island with his family. Saturday was the "Do It For Danoff Fun(d)rasier" where all of the members of the NPTA met up and played a round robin tourney. Tania and I popped out for some support (I broke out my flip-flops...welcome back into my life. I missed you old friend).

In honor of the first day of Spring...Bartlett's is hosting a farm party. Jami and the girls pick me up and we head out for an afternoon of painting faces, birdhouses and rocks, and grabbed some lunch with the Lower ladies and Pam and her crew. This day was definitely sponsored by the Mommy Circuit, a crew who I have about 5 friends in.

Quote of the day: Success is going from failure to failure without losing your enthusiasm.

A disclaimer of sorts

2010-03-19T20:34:00.002-04:00

After some emails of questionable content, this is clearly needed.
Please be advised that I am not a trainer or a dietitian, nor do I encourage the mirroring of any of the material on the blog, save for the yoga bit. Everything I learned about the physical training I learned from Jami and Gilbert, and all of my dietary ideas are the result of scouring the Internet and piecing weird stuff together. I do realize that most humans can not soley survive on edamame and blueberries, nor do I encourage you to try.

Thirsty Thursday

2010-03-18T18:20:00.001-04:00

Up before dawn on Thursday, and making a trip on the slow boat to the mainland, specifically Chatham, for our annual Spring show. The ferry pulls out of Nantucket at 6:30am and the sunrise is gorgeous.
"We are so lucky to live here" I remark to Scott, who is heading off-island to visit friends. "I mean look at this!"
"You wouldn't be so chipper if it was Monday when the rain was pouring" Scott reasons aloud. Point taken.
At any rate, my big show is up in Chatham and I am overwhelmed with work and excited to get busy again. I arrive in Chatham and check-in to my hotel, the lovely Wayside Inn downtown. After showering away the mass transportation smell of the ferry, I head over to CBI for the show.
And...10 hours later I find myself at the Chatham Squire. I realize that I am one drink away from being "that girl" and slip out of the bar and put myself to bed.

Green things...

2010-03-17T20:33:00.002-04:00

Happy St Pattys! Being more Scottish than Irish, I'm not really that into it, but I remember Maddison and I being in New York 2 years ago for the parade...wow.
Today is in the 50's, so I grab a towel and hit the beach, with my iPod and the new Chelsea Handler book for some much needed Vitamin D. Gorgeous...
I also hit the gym too, as my allergy infection has subsided to permit working out in public again.

30 days until the beginning of the end....

2010-03-16T20:29:00.002-04:00

So 30 days to a landmark birthday...can't tell you which one but it's a doozy. So, a personal goal for the next 30 is to include the coolest thing that happened that day. Anything at all.
So today I had a "work with" (def not the coolest thing that happened today) but we went out for drinks and attended Improv, where I got on stage for audience participation. Ta-da.

Free your mind...part deux

2010-03-15T17:45:00.022-04:00

So after my oh-so amazing Yoga practice last week, I was super bummed to miss out yesterday due to my immune system rebelling against my trip to the city (also known as a Champagne Junket). I came home from work, and threw my old Rodney Yee DVD in, shoved the coffee table aside, and peeled back a layer (that's for you Catie).

The RY dvd is a little different than Clay and Ann of course, and I have a hard time concentrating. Damn, I think, I don't remember this being so hard. I burst into a coughing fit every few minutes and have to excuse myself from no one to regain my composure. But I forge on, despite my damn Blackberry vibrating on the kitchen counter.

After last weeks post, I spoke with a bunch of my girlfriends from Georgia and Florida. The Georgia girlies and I are eagerly anticipating Mary Beth's last weekend (woo-hoo) in June. Ergo, I've got my girls on my brain so this practice is all about them.

I think about being in high school, when we dated football players in the fall, and baseball players in the spring. I remember the year when the well was dry at Southland, so we moved on to Tri-County for our boy shopping. The multiple roadtrips to games, practices, and the after practices; then the hurt feelings and broken hearts that punctuated the end of these relationships. I can remember my girlfriends and I thinking our lives were over; how could we ever recover? Would life go on? Single at 17...surely the end of the world.

Jesus, I think, I'm sweating my ass off in here. I realize that my living room windows are like a magnifying glass and a fan would be helpful. I grab the guest room fan and continue.

I think about these girls of mine from Georgia, and how effing lucky I am to have grown up in Americus (take note here people...I rarely admit this). My core of girlies there have been in my life since I was 4...that's a pretty intense relationship, some 25 years. A quarter of a century...jeez.

I credit Allison with the "Tri-county mess", but I will never forget the endless drives to Columbus, Buena Vista and beyond with her. Bianca and I raised more hell than any 10 people normally would in their teens; I'll never forget the Charlie Daniels and Hank Williams Jr show with her, Holly and Kelly. Crystal slept on my couch one summer in Palm Beach, I remember when Holly had 3 dates in a single Saturday and again when we were sitting outside a Circle K in Atlanta when it got robbed. I remember being in Mexico, falling off of a rope ladder into the water while Holly was in a congo line as well, but that's another story and best acted out live. I'll never forget the look on Jessi's face when we put her on stage at her bachelorette party, and I remember when Kiley was in the Miss Southland pagent. Lynsey and I did some serious boy stalking in between semesters one summer in college when things weren't going all that hot in our love lives, and I laugh out loud at going to the Braves game, then later the Phish show with Allison, Jessi and Mary Beth.

It's hard to believe that Crystal, Holly, Jessi, Kiley and Lynsey have babies and children now, and in a years time we will have all hit that unfortunate landmark birthday that is best left unmentioned.

I really miss those girls, I think as my Blackberry finally vibrates off the counter and lands on my tennis shoes, the result of a true wine emergency. Gotta get my ass to Georgia for a visit.

Allergy Attack

2010-03-14T17:44:00.000-04:00

My allergies attacked my immune and central nervous system today; I went to the gym against my better judgement and felt like hell so ditched out of yoga and came home. A 4 hour nap! It kind of rocked...

The Grilled Cheese Invitational

2010-03-13T16:55:00.003-05:00

Saturday morning, I wake up to rain and wind, which as you know from previous posts is very annoying. I hit the Westmoor early and hard; 50 minutes on the elliptical and 20 on the bike.
Jami, Jen and I head on a field trip today with Jami's girls: The 2nd annual Bartlettt Farm Grilled Cheese Invitational, which for me is akin to taking an alcoholic to Lola 41. It's just not right.
But Chef Neil (or Fresh Neil as Mayson so affectionately calls him) is a contestant in the professional category and we are nothing if not supportive. Jen and I divide and conquer the room during the "sampling" portion of the competition, a plan that proved to be a wise choice.
I grew weary of the crowd and bolted early, after picking up a few things we need at home.

When the horse stumbles...

2010-03-12T22:01:00.001-05:00

I caught myself just before what could have turned into a disasterous downward spiral. The last few days have involved many bottles of Champagne, Prosecco, Cava and any and all effervescent wines. Amazing food, and some well deserved and needed time away from the Rock and in the city.

Jami was sooo right; hotel fitness centers are full of crazy people like her. I was sweating out some serious booze-age in there, but kept my commitments to myself and made it happen.

Back to ACK Friday late...

New Shoes!

2010-03-09T14:40:00.001-05:00

My training schedule is a little light on Tuesdays, besides for the possible TRX with Jami. My muscles aren't seizing up after my 2 Monday spins, so I hit the gym for an hour and a half of cardio in the morning, towards the later of which Jami accosts me on the treadmill and tells me I am going to hurt myself with my current shoes.

"My new ones are arriving today Jami" I reply in a pant, "So I will be breaking them in while I am away in Boston for work,"

"What are the new ones" she asks suspiciously. After I blogged about my inner 10 year old and her Keds obsession Jami is always monitoring my footwear with high amounts of disapproval.

"North Face", I reply, forgetting about Jami's annoyance with my love of all things North Face (they freaking last forever!). "But before you freak out just calm down, they are running shoes." I say this last part with a smile, as I am pleased to finally have appropriate footwear in JL's eyes.

"Trail running is different than indoor running Melissa" she replies in a huff, punctuated with an eye roll. "You are on track to hurt yourself big time if you don't stop this. Has the skin grown back on the bottom of your feet yet?"

"Well I can't return them, they were on sale!" I gasp, just short of losing my footing again on the spinning conveyor belt, "But I will look for some more I guess. And yes, it did finally,"

"Please find more" Jami regards me suspiciously for a moment, before checking her watch and realizing she needs to head out. I gleefully punch the giant red STOP button and call it quits.
The sky is bluebird and it is in the high 40's. I'm in an awesome mood today. Yes, yes, I am the same girl who texted "I hate this island" on just Friday to a friend, but it is inching closer and closer to 50 and this alone puts a smile on my face. I have visions of sitting at the Galley in the sand, drinking flute after flute of rose Champagne in the near future.

The next 3 days will be tough, as I am off-island and away from my support system. Jami is like an AA sponsor, and trying to merge me in with functional society is rather dangerous at times. Carbs, chocolate et al tend to get me in trouble...I have a little bit of a "What happens off-island stays off-island" theory, so if I fail to hunt and gather my meals then it's okay right? And who really uses those Fitness Centers at hotels? I guess I will find out Thursday morning when I shake off what is bound to be a mother of a hangover and hit the lap pool, after a night out in Boston with a bunch of winos.

Update @ 3:55pm: new shoes just arrived via UPS and am all laced up and heading to gym to break in on elliptical.

Non

2010-03-08T18:20:00.000-05:00

The second person in the inner circle to get diagnosed was Non, my rockstar grandmother who just celebrated her 90th birthday in October. She was in her 80's and was diagnosed with breast cancer and had to undergo a masectomy, but is doing awesome and could run laps around pretty much everyone (Save for Jami). She credits her long life to "clean living", but I personally think it's because she grows every vegetable she eats and walks about 5 miles a day.
Non grew up as the oldest of a zillion kids in the Great Depression. If she could have saved $12 a year, she could have gone to college to become a nurse, a statement that always left me wondering how many punches on my meal ticket cost $12 in school? She's a total survivor, and everytime I leave her in Georgia she makes me cry. I always spend Christmas with my grandmother. I live too far away from her as it is, and the only thing she ever asks of me it to see her on her birthday and Christmas, so I do what I have to in order for this to happen.
I was fortunate enough to live down the street from my grandparents as a child, so the majority of my time was spent at their house. They ran a Christmas Tree farm as well (hence the importance of Christmas in South Georgia), which was super sweet from Thanksgiving to Christmas Eve. Non has one of the most intense flower gardens you will ever see, where something is always in bloom and there are always fresh cut flowers in the house. She cooks pretty much everything in bacon fat, and pickles half of the vegetables that come from her garden. There is always a pitcher of sweet tea nearby, and a red-velvet cake ready for serving.
While raising 2 kids in south Georgia after WW2, she worked at the local shirt factory, along with every other woman in Sumter County, where she ran the local union. She broke into politics during Jimmy Carters rise from the peanut field to Atlanta, then later DC.
She lives in the same home she has for 35 years in Sumter County, with her husband Allen. She is blessed with the presence of 3 amazing grandaughters, and 0 great-grandchildren (Anna, the ball is in your court kid).

Catie...you saved me

2010-03-07T11:43:00.002-05:00

A favorite girlie from my Palm Beach days has this amazing site The Yoga Love and a recent post made me realize that I am possibly practicing both my yoga and life in an incorrect fashion. Catie, I cried when I read your post and it made me think alot about myself and my own burdens and inspired me. So in an effort to clear it all out, here goes.

Traditionally in my Sunday practice with Ann, I think about everything I need to do in the upcoming 7 days (pick up my drycleaning, book my ferry ticket, finish restaurant proposals, mail thank you notes) as opposed to clearing my mind and being serene and calm. For those of you who have never encountered me live, calm isn't a word most people would use to describe me, and most certainly not serene. I'm a little high-strung; my boss uses words like hyper and passionate in my review.

But today my plan is to empty it all. I panic at first because it is 10am but I am the only one here. Finally another member shows, so Ann begins.

I have a tendency to keep my stress and worry all bottled up, and then about every 8-10 weeks I blow of all of my steam (usually over copious amounts of wine with a girlfriend) and let loose like no other, my problems spewing out like a carbonated beverage, along with hot tears and relief. I keep my mind full of things that are out of my control for the most part, like but today I walk into practice and leave everything at the door with my North Face cross-trainers and clear my mind. Today will be the best practice yet.

I pause for a moment, in childs pose to think about how excited Crystal and Travis are with the new baby in their lives, despite the long and painful road that led to her arrival, and how amazing they are going to be as parents. I think about how much fun it's going to be in Saint Simons in June with my Georgia girlies, and how beautiful Mary Beth is going to look at her wedding in the Fall. I remember how I started crying and hiccuping at my own wedding, how Tuck forgot his suit and had to wear jeans, and how excited and happy my entire family was to hear of our elopement.

As I shift out of posture, I can see my March numbers for work looking thru the windows at me, but I close my eyes and continue on, pushing away any worries coming from the back of the room. Deep breath and out. March has 31 days...I will make it.

Into Down-dog.I remember how pleased I was when I was offered an externship with Thomas Keller's restaurants, how proud when I got accepted to Cornell, and my happiness when I passed my Sommelier testings. I remember my 22nd birthday that I spent skydiving in Miami, and my 23rd, 24th and 25th which I spent with Megan in Palm Beach twice and Charlotte once drinking Champagne all day and into the night. I remember my 3 weeks in California, dining at French Laundry, and how beautiful the drive was down the Pacific Coast Highway that February day. I think about Kelly's birthday in Boston, when she, Holly and I stayed at the Liberty and had a bar tab that was the equivalent to a flight to Paris.

I open my eyes and see my grandparents health standing there trying the window, next to my sister's divorce. Maybe the VA will pay for a live-in nurse, or will they move into assisted living? Will my brother-in-law sign the papers on the 10th, and free Pam? Deep breath, I move into Runners Lunge and forge on.

Thru my Warrior sequence...I remember the look on Jen's face when she realized I came back from New York early for her birthday, the look on my Mom and Nons face when I snuck home to Georgia for a family dinner, and the look on my Dads face when I left Aspen early to swing thru Houston and see him. I reflect on how lucky I am to have a husband who ignores my flaws, the most amazing support system and 3 brilliant and amazing best friends ever on this island, along with a family who tells me "as long as you are happy" when I question my decisions and solicit advice for the paths I choose.

I think about how lucky I am to have both parents alive, a husband who doesn't care that I am a pain in the ass, and friends who back me even if they know I am wrong. I think about my grandmother teaching me to ride a bike, my grandfather taking me to The Varsity on North Avenue when I was a little girl, snorkeling in Mexico with my Dad, skiing in Maine with friends, and taking my niece to New York for her birthday. I remember how happy I was when Tuck left his last job, and how proud I was when he opened his own business, that he has built into a success in 3 years. I remember sitting at Ladies Beach with Jane drinking a bottle of bubbles one night as the storm surge came in this summer, us running up the dunes getting soaked by the surf. I remember moving to Nantucket, and how much fun Tara and I had on the drive up from Charlotte and I remember sitting at Cucinas in PB with Catie, Katie and Christina having pizzas and Stoli O & Sodas after a grueling night at the Palm Beach Grill.

Into side plank. I go back more than a decade. Peel back the layers, Catie writes. I remember being 16 in south Georgia at the river, one hot July day, swinging out on the rope into the cool water of the Blue Hole and losing my bikini top in front of more people than I would have liked. I remember jumping off the cliffs at the bauxite mines in Schley County, and I recall sitting at the baseball field with Wendy and Kiley drinking Route 44 cherry-limeades. Another trip to Mexico, this time with the Lizanas: para-sailing with Neil, and Danny and I getting caught by our fathers eating at McDonalds on the same trip. Being 17, driving from Americus to Saint Louis with Bianca and back, and a million roadtrips to Atlanta, Athens and Statesboro after.

Like Catie, I realize that the universe is not going to drop me on my ass. I can worry about the health of people I can't control and the local economy that directly impacts my own work, but why? I think about that girl from south Georgia, the one who drank Boone's Farm and Smirnoff Ice in the back of pick-up trucks and sang David Allan Coe and Willy Nelson all summer long...and how she would leap and trust that the net to appear. She never worried about anything, and she was fun, confident and safe. Where is she now?

After practice, I sit with Ann and discuss my summer practice options, and thank her for a wonderful class. I leave practice and regard my worries at the door: I look at my sister's divorce and leave it behind, along with my anxiety about the Pan Mass Challenge. I stare at my professional concerns and acknowledge that I will always have room for improvement, so I will cross the bridge when it appears. I contemplate the girl I was from south Georgia, the one I later weened off of brown liquor and onto vodka, then from Boone's Farm to Champagne. I've still got Willy on my iPod at least, and a Blackberry full of friends in Sumter County, so I am still that girl and haven't lost myself completely. I smile, lace up my sneakers and walk over to Tuck, who is waiting for me with a cup of coffee.

So Catie, thank you. You helped save me from myself and remind me of myself at the same time. And I needed that.

The Space Between

2010-03-06T05:54:00.006-05:00

There is a vast difference in the woman I was a month ago, and the woman I am now.
A month ago, I would never dream of getting on the treadmill-now I can run for 30 minutes.
A month ago, I did 3 spins a week-now I do 6 and ride for an additional 30 most days.
A month ago, the gym was a last resort-now it's the first place I go and at 6:30 am.
A month ago, my skinny jeans sat untouched in my closet for 6 months-now I wear them daily.
A month ago, yoga was my idea of strenth training-now it's 3 days of TRX.
A month ago, I ate whatever I wanted-now I watch everything I put in my body.
A month ago, I drank 3 Coca-colas a day-now I drink more water than a whale.
A month ago, I took Melatonin to help me sleep-now I sleep a solid 8 with no problems.

The sun is out this morning, for the first time since Feb 23rd. I am heading to the Moors for a long walk around the cranberry bogs with Husband and Dog, and then to the Westmoor for a run and a bike. Words cannot describe how happy I am to be outside NOT wearing foul-weather gear and wellies. The temperature is in the high 30's, which is equally exciting.

3 am

2010-03-05T03:39:00.003-05:00

It's 3 am, and I am up and unable to sleep, possibly a direct result of the bacon cheeseburger I had last night. Coupling that guilt, along with the fact that I have already decided that I won't make my March numbers, led to a sleepless night.
Spin in the morning...no office this week.

Freshman 15

2010-03-04T16:23:00.005-05:00

Despite the fact that I have a 5:30 spin tonight, I hit the gym early for an hour of cardio. While I'm on the elliptical, singing Eminem of course, I start thinking about some friends in Argentina. Holly's mantra is "do something everyday that scares yourself"...so I have taken to weighing myself on a daily basis after workout and shower. Today I hit the 15 lb marker with my weigh loss, which is pretty exciting. I sort of feel like the first 12 fell off, and I have worked hard for the last 3. I'd like to think too that I am shifting some chunky monkey into muscle, but maybe that's just a pipe dream.

So fast forward to the drive home from spin, I'm telling my husband about my craving during spin "Tuck I swear I would kick a kitten for a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup", I said, avoiding a pot-hole.

"Mmm...I'm just craving salty", he replied. Between the 2 of us and our drastic diet modifications, we have the kitchen personality of a pregnant woman.

"We should celebrate your 15 el bees," he says, bracing for impact should I not stop at the sign in time. "Let's go to Kitty Murtaghs for dinner".

Since I have no backbone of my own, and think as long as someone else says it's okay it must be, I too decide that Kitty's is a great idea. Which it was because I got to see Jen and gossip and catch up. But I inhaled a bacon cheeseburger like it was my job. It didn't stand a chance. And while it was perfect in every way, it didn't make me happy and satisfied, it left me guilt-ridden and calculating what Friday will need to entail to remove it's greasy buns from my own.
Fridays penance: spin and an additional hour of cardio.

Where oh where

2010-03-03T17:20:00.007-05:00

Who doesn't love Pearl Jam, I ask you? Apparently I do, and I ike to sing it out loud, as an elderly gentlemen quizically looked my way while I was moving along on the Elliptical today; lucky for him it was Last Kiss and not Yellow Ledbetter (which I don't know all the words to so I would have sounded like a Pentecostal Sarah Palin murming in tongues.). Luckily said man wasn't at the gym during my little misstep yesterday, so he just thinks I am passionate about looking both ways at railroad crossings and misses a loved one.

This morning over coffee, I am expressing my dismay over Vick's re-entry into my world, the NFL and the South to Tuck, and I got an eye roll (!) and a "maybe you could be a little more girlie, and stop watching ESPN Melissa". Really Tuck? Perhaps I should spend more time watching Lifetime, filing my nails and taking the Cosmo quiz of the month. This is coming from a man who declares that I own too much argyle, too many pearls, and obscene amounts of seersucker and plaids. Oh, and too many dresses. "Why can't you wear jeans once in a while, " I have been told on more than one occassion. He will deny saying this, because it's been raging cold here, so naturally I've not been wearing skirts and such, but I swear it's all true.

Perhaps Tucks complaints stem from a slight obsession I have with college football, and the lack of a playoff system...any red-blooded SEC fan would agree that this is needed! But this is the logic of a man who actually tried to root for Vanderbilt while tailgating at my mothers in Georgia during the Vandy/Georgia game (also commonly referred to as HOMECOMING) and nearly had a horseshoe tossed around his neck by my Bulldog sister.

Alright, so no more picking on Tuck. It's snowing (AGAIN) here and I am rapidly approaching the end of my fraying tether with the weather. Spin was canceled this morning, so I rocked 30 on the elliptical, 30 on the bike and 20 on the treadmill. I really do hate the treadmill. In addition to my outburst from earlier, I think I blew the speakers on my headset, since what should sound like bass now resembles heavy footsteps in stereo. Weird.

I'm on the lookout for a device that will permit me to have music on the ride, without breaking the rules and wearing earplugs...suggestions?

Back in Black

2010-03-02T18:04:00.001-05:00

So I'm sure I am not the only one out there using Pandora (Mom, it's a musical application on my Blackberry) and I love giving my ipod a break and rocking some unknown mixes. Tuesdays I'm on my own (normally a TRX instruction day, but JL is away in CT) and I am moving it on the treadmill (as fast as I move on the treadmill, around 6 mph) when something happened that led to my Blackberry flying thru the air and landing on the floor behind me. I'm still unclear as to how it all went down, but the next thing I know, my headset has come undone and AC/DC is blasting from my phone (for those of you who don't know, I listen to my music so loud you can hear it coming out of my nose). Mortified. The age groups in the gym at this moment are some women in their 60's walking on the treadmill and a couple of cougars on the ellipticals. And me. I almost did a face plant trying to quickly co-ordinate my feet in jumping to the sides so I could safely escape the spinning tarmac and try to repo a bit of dignity. I'm sure everyone on the elliptical machine had a good time watching.

So I finished my 20 on the treadmill, then hopped on the Stairmaster. What is that thing? If the goal of this machine is to simulate someone holding a blow torch to my ankles, then well done. I did 10 and made a hasty exit to the elliptical for 30, then around to the bike for 20.

So after my little brief 80's fest, while on the elliptical I'm watching ESPN as I do, and my nemisis Michael Vick is saying that if he could play for any team it would be the Panthers because "they play Atlanta twice a year". He also mentioned "it's close to home", but I don't really consider him to be human so I can't understand him having a family that he wants to see and isn't his little ghetto brother Marcus in Miami anyway? Move over Tim Tebow, Steve Spurrier and Urban Meyer...my focus of negative energy may have shifted back to MV for the time being. And as an FYI to ESPN, he is not the greatest football player in the history of the free world...please do get over him. We did.

Parch March

2010-03-01T14:30:00.003-05:00

Alledgedly our friend Pam was rambling on about doing Parch March, where she doesn't drink for the month. I wasn't sure if Jami was trying to pitch it to me or not, but I am defenitley OUT for that one. I have 2 tastings and multiple restaurants getting ready to open, so the whole dry thing is not so much over here. Plus, I've got to get my tolerance ready for the month of April. But Pam my friend, I wish you all the best in your endeavors...I'm really not the girl to call in case you are having cravings and need someone to talk you out of it. I can see myself now on the phone with you "But the bubbles are perfect and just one little tiny flute never hurt anyone..." Famous last words...trust me.

But, I'm still on the training which is great, and I am officially down 14 lbs as of this morning and my skinny jeans fit (which indicates to me that I am down 4 inches on my waistline). Rah rah me. Today I woke up around 3am, and couldn't go back to sleep until I had a cup of coffee and blacked out on the couch watching CNN. I slept thru Definitions (which is a blessing in disguise) and Carolyns 8:15 spin.

I have started an at home regime of situps and pushups in order to save face at the gym. While I feel like people respect me a little more when I am sweating on a Pre-Core than when I am eating an ice cream cone, I'm still not quite ready to attempt a series of sit-ups in public without Jami making me with all the yelling and eye rolling. I hit the gym at the end of my work day, and do an hour of cardio split between the elliptical and the treadmill, and work on my arms a little. While my guns are def more jacked than 3 weeks ago, I'd like this batwing looking part to vamanos before sleeveless shirt season. So there.

Now, I'm trotting along on the elliptical today, minding my own biz and jamming out to Blind Melon and watching ESPN on the monitor when that crying whiny Tim Tebow comes on. Why is this kid still in our lives, I ask of you? To prevent vomit from spewing from my mouth I had to resist the urge to plug in and hear what they were yammering about with him, but it seemed to be some sort of decathalon looking thing. Good, I hope he loses and it's on national television and I get to see him cry twice in my life. That would be the only way that I could justify the last few years of his presence in the SEC not being God's cruel way of slowly torturing UGA fans...
Spring practice starts in 3 days...Go Dawgs!

Sunday Funday...the last day of February!

2010-02-28T08:11:00.012-05:00

The sun is out for a consecutive 60 minutes, and this on it's own has a drastic affect on my mood! I head to the gym for a self-imposed torture session; 30 min on the elliptical, 20 on the treadmill, and 50 on the bike. For those of you who know me, you do know that I am very much, not even a little bit what you would call a runner, and thank God that there aren't mirrors in front of the treadmill. That being said, Metallica really makes me move myself so I did rather well. My flim flam is still a disaster, so March's focus is my mid-section. As a side bar here...while I may have called March the home stretch in a previous post, it is still a 31 day month with unpredictable weather and nothing to do. Luckily Jen's 30th birthday is coming up again, so there is hope for us yet!

We postpone TRX training due to some weak immune systems and I crawl out of the gym and head home. It seems that in the interum of my cardioathalon, the sun went away and the temperature dropped some 10 degrees. If I don't freeze to death on this iceberg it will be a bloddy miracle!

And Happy happy birthday to a favorite girlie Holly down in south Georgia! Love and miss you heaps!

Saturday Spin

2010-02-27T17:14:00.004-05:00

I'm up before the sun on Saturday, and Scout and I watch the dark and dreary storm clouds get overtaken my blue skies and sunshine (it was short-lived) during sunrise. Mother Nature is bipolar I tell you...

I walk in the club Saturday, having started the day off totally on the wrong foot with a dead car battery and a missing radio security code. There is an impromptu spin class starting in 30 minutes; what a perfect penance for my transgressions as of last night! I hope on the elliptical to warm-up and the hit the road with the rest of the crew.

As mentioned before, Carolyn's classes are high high resistence, a long slow road carving climb. Todays class is true to form, and I use it to contemplate the upcoming month of March and it's 31 days here on the island. I have a couple of tastings off island, which is exciting due to involving a hotel room and keep my island fever to a minimum. Work is progressively getting busier, so I have that as well. But I need to add something into this training to keep it interesting...more strength training? I note to myself to discuss with Jami. I do desperatley need to get my rear to Wheel Works of Belmont and get fitted for a bicycle soon. After class, Jami and I make Sunday plans to grab a sushi roll Sunday and discuss March and our survival of it.

A quick trip to the S&S leaves me home for the rainy dreary afternoon with a fire in the fireplace and a hardcore nap on the couch (all those damn carbs from last night!). I swear to myself to make up for Friday night all weekend long, so wish me luck!

Infidelity

2010-02-26T23:09:00.001-05:00

So on Friday, I cheated.

It all happened so suddenly, I really couldn't stop myself. And I succumbed to the fast, the cheap and the greasy. I had a cup of chili and a grilled cheese sandwich at the Rose & Crown during Trivia. On my day "off". And by day off I mean from training, not diet control. The whole week of work, unraveled with a split-second decision and lack of a backbone. The weekend workout just got shifted up a notch...

Did I mention it was delicious?

Scotch Guard

2010-02-25T11:43:00.007-05:00

When I was a kid, I was obsessed with wearing white Keds. Growing up in south Georgia, on a flat plain of red Georgia clay, did little to encourage the color white, and often resulted in my begging for new Keds every 3 weeks. I was a bit of a tomboy, and the fact that we didn't have cable (up-hill...both ways...in the snow!) didn't encourage me to sit inside and be very girlie. My mother took to Scotch-guarding my wardrobe pieces which I was obsessive about (Keds, Jordache jeans, NKOTB t-shirts and the like) in order to preserve my both my attire and her cash flow. I've yet to stop mocking her for this...until yesterday that is.

It is winter break here, and saying the island is super quiet is an understatement. Jami and I are the only ones at 7am spin, and I must say it certainly helps me realize that she is in fact talking to me during class "Shoulders back, open your chest, add resisitence" when there is no one in the room. A combination of PMS and TRX prevent me from attending Johnnas 8:15 (is it just me, or does that sound like a Bible verse) and I head on to my next task of the day: helping a client set up her new shop.

The Islander has been on 3 Polpis Road for 27 years, and is now moving to 15 Old South Road. Salesmen and Division Manager's descended upon Nantucket like it was 4th of July weekend to help Paula move her shop, and things were looking great and it looked like everything was ahead of schedule. After an hour or so of alphabetizing the single-malts and blend Scotch whiskeys, a rival distributor's DM and I were placing the last few bottles on a shelf when it gave away, and 75+ bottles of malted peet came raining down upon us. I have honestly never heard the continuous sound of glass breaking for that many seconds...it was quite possibly one of the top 5 heart-stopping moments in my life. David and I are clutching each other for emotional and physical stability, having long put aside our differences in business, and are now standing knee-deep in a heap of broken handles and bottles. My Lucky Jeans soaked from the knees down...thank GOD I didn't wear my new red vintage Gucci loafers...tears would have been shed for sure.

And all I can hear...is the sound of my mother's voice saying "I told you so...". She would also appreciate the irony in Scotch-Guarding against Scotch.

Mom in a freshly Scotch-Guarded sweatshirt....

TRX, round 2

2010-02-24T08:48:00.002-05:00

I'd like to start off by apoligizing for yesterdays "Debbie Downer" blog. Thank God February is a mere 28 days, I tell you. The day started off really bad with some unfortunate family news, but ended with a Mexican Fiesta (certainly not either "clean food" or "Melissas diet") but none the less delish. At any rate, listening to me rant is not why you log on so I am sorry.
I met up with Jami in the later afternoon for week 2 of TRX training.
"I have a proposition for you" she states, avoiding eye contact, which makes me nervous. "How do you feel about both TRX's being up, and us working out at the same time to music?"
So that's what we did. Jami cranked the Positive K and we went to town. I must say, it's really helpful to watch Jami, who is completely in beat with the music and using the TRX with ease, so I can see where I am going wrong and work on my form. Jami now gets a kick out of calling my core flim flam, which is actually a very suitable synonym since high residual sugar is how my body got into this mess.
"Work the flim flam" she giggles, cracking herself up. I've noticed that she's more aggressive when I am ass over tea kettle, my feet strung up in the stirups and I can't get away too quickly or attempt a swing in her direction. After our mutually-agreed upon 30 minutes, I regain my composure and hop on the elliptical for 30 minutes before calling it a day.
This TRX thing means business people. My husband keeps threatening to get one, and I have fears of losing my herb and vegetable gardens to some sort of Muscle Beachesque outdoor gym (it would be sooo Jersey Shore though...). A colleague Meri has told me of a TRX/Spin class she takes in Boston, but it sounds very urban-legend like.
So this morning I am aching! I spin with Jami at 7, but can't even fathom another class (sorry Johnna) as every fiber of my being aches.
And I will leave you all with a small request for this day...think positive happy thoughts for my dad, who is having some outpatient work done today!

February blues

2010-02-23T07:58:00.005-05:00

The radar calls for 7 consecutive days of rain and wintery mix. This makes me miss my old life in sunny south Florida and wonder what I am doing here on this tiny grey rock floating in the middle of the North Atlantic. Nantucket is one of the most beautiful, charming, and amazing places for 100 days of the year, but when winter comes knocking, it feels more like a SWAT team kicking down the door and invading at 2am.
We all get grumpy and cranky thanks to the weather and too much time inside. Jen and Neil actually went to Great Point yesterday with a bottle of wine...I was so jealous when they announced it. It is pretty much the most excitment any of us have seen for months (save for Jane who just is back from Tequila) so I lived vicariously thru them for the afternoon.
I am extremely sore from my 2 spins yesterday, although my self-designed upper body workout is probably the true culprit. Last night I could barely keep my eyes open, and was in bed prior to 9 o'clock. I have eliminated caffeine from my life in the form of liquids, and should probably not be operating motor vehicles. This may help justify my personal crankiness as well, but the current conditions certainly don't help.
5 days left of February...then March is the home stratch!

Such a wino

2010-02-22T06:50:00.002-05:00

I know that this blog is all about my fitness and diet, but I just have to throw in the occassional booze blog every once and a while.
On the heels of my '02 Pride Merlot, I just polished off this "La Petit Page" Merlot, made by Bryan Page at Page Wine Cellars. Sadly for the world, the movie "Sideways" really put a hamper on Merlot sales and production after the movie was released. There are some terrific Merlots out there (and some really crappy Pinot Noirs...it's all I can do right now not to get on my sopabox about this!) . This happens to be one of them, along with Sean Larkin's "Jack", Pahlmeyer and Plumpjack. Sean Larkins wines in particular are exceptional, as he makes Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot. He produces these wines under the "Larkin" label, and the "Jack Larkin" label (in honor of his son, who is maybe 6 now).
I have always been somewhat of a Merlot-ho, and this isn't to say (regardless of how you interpreted the above rant) that I don't enjoy a good glass of Pinot Noir. The problem here is that Pinot is being planted in places that it shouldn't be, and cut with juice from Syrah (the BATF only requires 85% Pinot Noir to be in the bottle). Some consistently good California choices are Marimar, Flowers and Calera, while if you are looking to spend a little more go Oregon and find Patricia Green, Soter or Shea. And when in France, always go Echezeaux. Stay away from hot climates, as Pinot is a stable as a newly single woman.
For those wine geeks out there who are interested...aromas of oak, dark berries, spices and leather, with the vaguest hint of eucalyptus. This is a hefty Merlot, one that could easily be mistaken for a Cabernet Sauvignon, but just a little more delicate. Notes of tobacco and dark berries on the palate, well-balanced with soft tannins and a lengthy finish. If you see a bottle buy it!

Dad

2010-02-21T13:14:00.000-05:00

Namaste readers! During a 90 minute Yoga session with Anne, I brainstormed ways to make my blog more interesting, in order to retain your attention. I can only imagine how boring this must be getting just reading about my diet and workouts, I have decided to pepper in some biographies of the good people on my "Ride is for" list. I'll start with my Dad, since he was the first person in my inner circle that was diagnosed.
Just before my 19th birthday, Dad called me and told me the disturbing news: He had colon cancer and was going in for surgery immediatley. They were to remove a substantial section and everything would be fine. I was sworn to secrecy with my grandfather, who wasn't doing well himself, and we scheduled a trip to Houston for me to visit after my Freshman Finals.
Dad totally looked this beast in the eyes and kicked its you-know-what. After an intense amount of time off, he retired and began training for sprint and half triathalons. A few years later, I drove up from Palm Beach to watch him complete the Great Floridian Triathalon, an Ironman qualifier (when asked afterwards when we were all going to Hawaii, he gasped "Never.").
In 2005, he under went surgery to remove prostate cancer, the latest offender. His spirits are always high, and after listening to him you realize he believes that cancer is a grand scheme by the insurance industry to make him go to the oncologist once a year. My father is so Scottish (read: cheap) and he thinks everyone is making a move for his hard earned cash (love you Dad!)
Favorite stories of my life with Dad include...
...The time we stepped over a "Do Not Enter" sign at a forest fire station and decided to climb to the top (naturally we assume this sign was meant for everyone but us). I was assaulted by yellow jackets, my feet swelling up so intensly that my Jellies had to be cut off (I was 9), and a country remedy of chewing tobacco and kerosene (along with massive doses of oral Benadryl) were applied.
...Driving his 1976 Triumph Spitfire a.k.a "The Spit" thru the winding roads of Fort Bend county Texas, all the while being told to "speed up" as we were approaching 90 degree turns at high speeds (I was probably 22)
...Snorkeling in Xel-Ha Mexico (maybe 14?) and being not-so-subtley stalked by a baracuda who was in all likelyhood more interested in the shiny can of Cheese-Wiz hooked to my bikini bottom (which I was intent on feeding the fish with) than me.
...Also in Mexico, doing a back-flip and smashing my face on the bottom of the swimming pool (circa 12 years old) with my Dad saying "Do you want me to take you to a doctor in a country that we don't drink the water in?"
...Lunch at the Plaza, NYC, my Senior year of high school. I was bullied (read: LIED To!) in order to eat some sort of raw fish stew thing and refused to swallow it. Instead, I was intent to find a napkin and politely remove and dispose of, much to my fathers chagrin. Our poor waiter Ebbie (I will never forget his name) was mortified and Dad refused to give me a napkin.
Now, 5 cancer free years later, he has traded life in the bustling suburbs of Houston for a quiet existence in Norman OK (Go Sooners!), where he lives with his wife Marilyn and continues to ride, run and swim along with collecting British cars (is this where I got the Land Rover bug from?). He is the proud owner of "Walter", a brass 1915 Ford T-Model Roadster, "Murray" a 1926 Ford T-model convertible pickup, "T-Belle" a 1960 Triumph TR3, and the aforementioned "Spit".

Cheese and Chocolate

2010-02-20T09:18:00.004-05:00

Today is Saturday and the weather is gorgeous (says the girl who hasn't stepped outside). I'm on my own on Saturdays, so I am off to the gym this afternoon for a bike ride and some elliptical work (and some possible TRX training). I've been sort of treating my diet as a work in progress, to see what works for me, along with doing a tremendous amount of reading about diet etc. It's worse than I thought...
I will openly admit I love cheese puffs, cheese curls, pretty much any kind of baked cheese snack. I also really love artisanal cheeses...sheeps milk is my fav along with cheeses from Spain (oddly, cheese puffs, cheese curls, and their brightly colored cousins really taste nothing like any type of real cheese). I'm like Cartman on South Park. I also love chocolate, milk, dark and light; Godiva, Ghirardelli or Hersheys. So the diet portion of this training has been really tough for me, as I substituted my tobacco intake with logs of cookie dough, wedges of stinky cheese, and bags of cheesy poofs.
One thing I have been doing fastidiously, is eating a cup a day of blueberries, a cup of edamame, and some carrots (can't do a cup), and I have subbed in Turkey and Salmon as my primary proteins. I am eating more salads and soups, and staying away from processed foods...which is alarmingly difficult.
The processed food in my pantry is alarming, and is making me go to the market about 3 times a week to keep up with this clean food movement. I've been reading about Super Foods, the Dirty Dozen, and the Clean Fifteen, and I must say that it turns my stomach to think about what I have been ingesting for years (I don't even like whole-cluster pressing in wine making!).
So, I have always been a bit of a bored eater, especially after 86ing the cigs, ergo I made this list of reasons why the last 2 weeks are working out well for me. Hopefully I will remember to read it everyday and stick to it.

This is what I found:
1. I have strong desires eat when I'm stressed out or have anxiety. Coupling that knowledge with my New Year resolution of "Making 2010 the best year ever!", I don't plan to have stress or anxiety so this should not be problematic.
2. I am able to curb cravings and desire to mindlessly chow with the knowledge that if I do all of the right things thru the day, then I can have a kick ass dinner.For some reason, knowing that I could eat whatever I wanted (as long as it was unprocessed, fit on a plate, or wasn't fried) for my next meal helps me tremendously.
3. This plan prevented me from secret eating, like when I used to keep a Trader Joe container of chocolate covered almonds in the car. Now, I'm cheating on myself, so it isn't an option to go to the store and buy sweets and eat them secretly.
4. I've lost 12lbs and ergo am halfway to my goal.
5. I try my skinny jeans on every Friday, to trick myself into not blowing it on the weekend.
6. I can now slide my fat jeans on and off with unbuttoning them.
7. I really believe that drinking a huge glass of water before every meal is helping me keep my portions in check.

Last night, Tuck and I dined at TOWN and I had my first chocolate experience in 2 weeks: A chocolate cake topped in vanilla gelato and sitting on a pile of caramel. And good Ganache-coated Christ it was delish...well worth the 2 weeks wait.

Family Friday

2010-02-19T16:26:00.000-05:00

Carolyn's Sprint-athalon Spin was awesome this morning, and as I was leaving I saw Jen and the girls waiting for the 9:30 Definitions class. Crazy women...
Sorry Dad, but I am most definitely your daughter, and since I inherited my clumsy footing from you, your email must be published via blog. As everyone who comes near me now knows, nothing is sacred anymore...don't say it if you don't want to read about it!
-------------------------------------------------
From: Dad
To: Melissa
Date: Fri, 19 Feb 2010 4:03pm
Subject: Re: Pan-Mass Challenge!

Melissa:

Nice job on the blog sweetheart, I love reading your comments. On the exercise front, I was running yesterday (currently have logged 134 running miles in 2010) and was crossing from one street to another, NOT using the crosswalk but going down into a very shallow ditch and coming up the other side, and almost did a face plant. Fortunately I was able to accelerate like one of those diving football catchers and maintain enough balance to stay off the ground. About 1/2 mile later I noticed a little "pull" in the middle of my right calf muscle. Didn't think much of it, as I often get little aches and pains and just "run though them" and they do their damage and fade away in a few hundred yards or so.

This little pain stayed with me however and about one mile later, with no warning, it developed into a BIG HONKING PAIN, which took me only 3 steps to slow enough to start hopping to a stop with my left leg. I've made this into a long boring story, but I had to call Marilyn to come pick me up. I've only done that once before in about 5 years. I was mad in that I had made 4.9 miles of my 6.0 mile run, and it appears I have a moderate tear in the calf muscle, which has me hobbling around the house. I may be off of running for a couple of weeks, which is going to make my goal of 1500 running miles in 2010 more difficult. I was just barely keeping up with it while I was healthy. I was able to ride my mountain bike to the hardware store this afternoon, so not all is lost !

I did read on the Internet that these injuries are common when you accelerate suddenly (like crossing a ravine) without telling your legs a microsecond in advance of what you are planning.
Off the run for 3 weeks minimum....all the while falling slowly behind my goals. HA!

We love you, keep up the good work, hi to the Tuckster....
Dad

ah, there's the pain

2010-02-18T11:55:00.004-05:00

The pain of TRX reared its ugly head today, and I ache something serious. None the less, I check it out before Spin class, and give it a go. Nothing really remarkable today with me, so it light of that I have decided to work in somethings that may keep you interested here.

I've received some interesting emails (and please don't be offended that I have not responded) asking more about me, which is great as I figured only people who I directed to this site would find it and follow it. So here are the answers to some of the questions (some people were instantly deleted due to me freaking out...I'm sure you meant no harm). So here are the answers to this weeks inquiries.

1) I am from a town in south Georgia called Americus. It is located in Sumter County and is home to Habitat for Humanity, Jimmy Carter, Andersonville POW Museum and Dan Reeves. And acres and acres of cotton and peanuts.
2) I am currently under the age of 30, and that's as close as you are getting to that answered. But I will have a birthday before the Pan-Mass, and I do like red tulips and magnolias.
3) I am not going to post my weight online. But I am down 12 lbs since I started this blog and training, however there will be no before and after pictures.
4) I am an ex-smoker. I went on Chantix, and it made me bat-ass crazy. I cried all of the time, I scared people, and my boss told me it was like I had PMS for 8 weeks. But it worked, even though I nearly killed a couple in a Miata with my LandRover when he yelled about my driving.
5) I sell wine for a living. A year ago I bought wine for a living. I love what I do, otherwise I wouldn't do it. When my job stops being fun, I will move on.
6) I am obsessed with "Jersey Shore". It's like watching a sociology project from home. And I am anxiously awaiting the new season.
7) I was at an 80's party in that picture, which has generated an alarming amount of interest. The girl with me is my friend Leslie, and she is also married, so chill out people.
8) The blonde is my niece, not my daughter (but thanks for the dig). She is not available.
9) Jami's qualifications to train include the fact that she is wicked fast, a certified trainer, spin instructor and TRX torture chamber runner. I am actually less qualified to be a client than she is to be training me. She ran New York with a broken foot.
10)I am exactly how you picture me after you read my writing. Take everything I say at face value, there are no hidden layers of complexity, no underlying meanings and no bullshit.

Back to back

2010-02-17T12:54:00.003-05:00

A light dusting of snow last night leaves the roads icy and hazardous for this south Georgia girl, so I slip and slide my way to Westmoor for my big day: the back to back spins. I feel really great, despite my TRX session (to which Jami replied "Well I obviously was too easy on you") and am ready to leap and see if the net appears, not my normal course of action.
The 7am class kind of kicks my tail, but my new game is to pretend I am taking a flim-flam (Jess and Holly...you girls may be in Argentina right now but your memory lives on!) every time Jami says the word Core. A Flim-Flam is the Paul's Champagne cousin...a Lola 41 fav! (Essentially, a flim-flam is a shot of Champagne, Cava or Prosecco). The class passes quickly when I sub it all into a bar setting, outfitted with bubbles and bartenders, instead of spin bikes and tri-athletes.
The 8:15 with Johnna is true to form: a long slow climb with lots of out of saddle work and jumps. I feel great after the ride is over, having pedaled some 40 or so miles in just over 2 hours. I sit down and have a cup of coffee to relax and chat with Kerith and Aisling for a bit. In a moment of peer pressure, Kerith agrees to TRX with me Thursday afternoon before the 5:30 spin!
My legs lock up as I am descending the stairs and I nearly take a digger, which probably looks hysterical on camera, as I throw my body towards the banister to catch myself. After a hot shower, I'm off to work. I notice that my car is parked sort of on the walkway...I will once again reiterate how icy the conditions were, and apoligize to anyone who was offended.
I swing by the F&B office to chat with Patrick about some wine stuff, and he inquires as to how the training is going, and we briefly discuss the Pan-Mass.
"TRX day 1 was yesterday" I reply, my abs pulsing at the recollection, "The goal is 3 days a week, but that may take some time".
Awesome text from Kerith: Psyching myself up for tomorrow night! I guess this means there is no turning back, as we are holding each other accountable for our core (pause for a flim-flam).

TRX day

2010-02-16T06:25:00.007-05:00

A week ago I was craving big piles of fluffy snow and now I can't stand the sight of any and all forms of condensation. I woke up to a white yard, which immensely annoys me...I'm just so tired of being cold.
After a lunch with Jen at Lola (complete with some pink bubbles...we so deserve it), I head to the Westmoor. Today's agenda is a quick spin on the bike (30 minutes on Hills) and then the dreaded TRX. TRX is a suspension training system that Jami just loves. It was invented by a Navy Seal and is portable for on-the-go training. It is a complex mass of straps and such, that I would be sure to hang myself in if left to my own devices. The targeted area is always your core, and a variety of other muscle groups (usually ones you never heard of) and the result is the body of a Navy Seal.
After I warmed up on the bike, we hook the TRX to some sort of huge metal looking thing in the corner of the gym and get to it. Jami has me put one foot in the stirrup and one foot in front of me a la runner's lunge and rock back and forth.
"Use your core" she cries, as I am going faster than I should and totally relying on my momentum to get me thru these reps. Jami declares my core to be a pathetic mess (my words not hers...but I could see it in her eyes) and puts me face down on the mat and makes me do a down dog style move but levitating.
"If I could reach you I would hit you" I mutter as I heave my ass-teau up in the air for all of the members of the gym to see and hear my sound effects, which include the occasional curse word and death threats to my dear friend.
"You are doing so well" Jami lied "Just a few more. This is really good for you. Something to think about Melissa...if you ever decide to have a baby you need your core to be strong so you don't have to have a C-section."
"I don't anticipate that being a cause for concern in the near future, but thanks for the heads up" I grunt from my position on the floor, with my feet levitating and holding in plank. "It's nice to know that I am not strong enough physically to handle childbirth...that's now my new excuse." My arms are now violently shaking and sweat is dripping from my forehead as I gasp for clean oxygen. All I can see are Jami's feet, as she is sitting on a bouncy ball. I wonder if I could hit her from here.
When we begin arms, the real fun begins. I am now looking directly up at this huge metal thing, and I am leaning back at a 45 degree angle.
"It's going to tip over on me" I cry, "I'm going to get impaled by this stupid machine"
"It can hold 1000 pounds...you have to learn to trust the TRX" Jami is just short of rolling her eyes now. "You can't blog about my cheesy motivational spiels, okay?"
"Okay Jami, " I lie. "Whatever you want."

2 in a day

2010-02-15T20:48:00.001-05:00

Monday morning I wake up and feel great (probably due to the fact that I am not going to Definitions) and head out for an 8:15am Spin with Carolyn. Carolyn's spins are high resistance and slow, lots of muscle work, but I feel great at the end of the class. Carolyn and I discuss Wednesday, when my goal is to spin at 7am, then at 8:15am, in an effort to simulate the ride itself with a ten minute break.
I'm back at 5:30 for Johnnas ride, which is always full of jumps and hopping up and down. Kerith and Pam express their awe over my Wednesday plans. "Don't get all blown away by it yet", I remind them, "I will probably throw up outside the door at the end of Johnna's class, then you will be really proud to be my friend."
Kerith and I make plans to ride outside once the conditions permit (I am well aware that people are riding outside right now but it is too cold for me). And no, I wasn't smiling because you were singing, it was more of a grimace in pain.
It is worth noting that our spin classes are held in a small, un-airconditioned ventless room. It is boiling lava hot in here when we shut the door, and seven ladies are pedaling (picture an Indian sweat lodge with motion), and I once broke a fever in a spin class (which I later got in trouble for attending while ill).
Tomorrow is TRX training with Jami and lunch with the girls at Lola (Sushi!). I went ahead and popped 2 Advil and plan to numb my muscles for the next 48 so perhaps they won't feel anything.

Seeing Red

2010-02-14T06:25:00.007-05:00

Despite my girlie Valentine's night with Jami, I'm up at 5:45am. What the hell...this vicious cycle must end.
As part of my "hunting and gathering", I have dropped my meat consumption pretty well (I don't count sushi and seafood as meat), but am excited about the beautiful tenderloins I picked up yesterday at the butchers. When I made some 4 cheese mac yesterday for the Fraziers, I portioned 4 ramekins for Tuck, as he is always on my case about never getting any (you would think I was running a meth lab the way people act about this pasta dish). At any rate, will Tuck is enjoying the triple cream sheep's milk from Switzerland, the pancetta et al coated pasta, I will be rocking some steamed veggies. Which I hunted and gathered in the produce department of the Stop & Shop.
Yoga is being held in the tiny mirrored room with the HUGE clock on the wall, so I break from Ann for a day and hit the elliptical and the bike for a hour then attempt my arms. I seriously get bored at the gym doing strength training and need someone to hang out with, count aloud and watch me do it (please see posted titled "Youngest child by Decades" for further details). If guess this is why there is such a market/racket for personal trainers and life coaches...procrastinators like myself.
After the Westmoor, Tuck and I head to Yoshi's (sushi doesn't count!) for lunch. My carb intake has calmed down, so my 2 rolls make me sleepy (or maybe that's all this damn sunlight) but unfortunately I have a heap of Sunday work to do (nothing spells "Sunday Funday" like being stuck in my office).
And as a note here, the last time Tuck made Steak Au Poivre he nearly lit the kitchen on fire trying to flambe the tenderloins with some cognac. So wish me the best, as I sit down in a few hours with a glass of 2002 Pride Merlot (Mike Vaughn...should you ever find my blog...this is the very bottle you gave me in 2005 in Charlotte) and a fire extinguisher and watching Tuck make dinner. Happy Valentine's Day to all!

Rockin' thru the '80's...

2010-02-13T08:47:00.006-05:00

Saturday begins and I am up and going early and at the Westmoor doing arms and cardio. I have officially finished the playlist "Rocking thru the '80's" and it is a true piece of work if I say so myself...60 minutes of awesomeness.

1)"You Shook Me all Night Long"...AC/DC (Crystal...this song shall forever remind me of the summer you crashed on my couch in Palm Beach)
2)"Love in an elevator"...Aerosmith (reminds me of Athens, GA)
3)"Livin' on a Prayer"...Bon Jovi (still my most amazing concert ever in Ft. Lauderdale)
4)"Knockin' On Heaven's Door"...GNR (Steve Miller covering this while I was bartending with Polly and Priscilla...old Talking Bean days)
5)"Don't Stop Believing"...Journey (Last call at Water Street with Graedon)
6)"American Woman"...Lenny Kravitz (my sister dancing on the roof of a Bronco)
7)"All Summer Long"...Kid Rock (Last call at the Pearl with Ian)
8)"Enter Sandman"...Metallica (Thanksgiving in Coral Gables with the Lizanas)
9)"Nothing Else Matters"...Metallica (just makes me happy)
10)"Rockstar"...Nickelback (Summers on Nantucket with my little rockstar niece Maddie)
11)"Under Pressure"...Queen and David Bowie (Life in general)
12)"Under the Bridge"...Red Hot Chili Peppers (Driving thru Cali with Kelly and Kim)
13)"Interstate Love Song"...Stone Temple Pilots (being 16 in south Georgia)

I will admit that GNR defenitely falls in the "Metal"catergory and Nickelback and Kid Rock certainly don't qualify as '80's. Also...2 Metallica songs may seem overboard, but I do love me some Kirk Hammett (this is surprising to most).
A favorite girlie Angel just gave birth to her second daughter Harper Addisyn here at Nantucket cottage this week, so I made a big 4 cheese macaroni (with Pancetta and Proscuitto) to take by and do some visiting with the newest addition to the Frazier fam! Baby Harper is very small and fragile, and I held her for about 15 minutes before she demanded her mother!
Out for some sushi and Cava with Jami (Jane is still in California, Jen is working...although we harassed her plenty!), where we paid our respects to our favorite local bartenders and called it a night after Lola, Town and...drumroll please...The BOX. FYI...for the second time in as many weeks I saw a cross-dresser out. Small island...people get bored in the winter I suppose.

Gym Etiquette Rule: #1

2010-02-12T16:52:00.001-05:00

Ladies, it's a locker room in a public facility, not your bedroom in a private home. Please make the long term nakedness stop! Standing in front of me and trying to make small talk in the buff is no way to become my friend, but it does freak me out. Slap on a towel and then we can chat.

The Snow Day, Part 2

2010-02-11T06:42:00.006-05:00

So imagine my dismay when snow gave way to freezing rain, then back to snow, then freezing rain and wind. I made a big pot of turkey chili and invited some veteran riders over for drinks and dinner.
SA having read this blog, along with being slightly medicated due to an outpatient procedure and some Amstel Lights, thought it would be funny to torment and scare the life out of me. Things got a little out of control and Tuck was very close to taking my place (only to solidify whatever the reckless image of me is that Team Ruby has). So over a bottle of Philliphe Gilbert Menetou-Salon (it is always Sancerre season at my house), I learn the following things about my newest commitment...
1) I have to bring my own linens (which I suppose is better than sleeping on randoms linens) but I am sleeping in a dorm facility at a military school that has bedded 700 sailors.
2)No iPod. No iPod you say? What the hell am I going to do for 6 hours, talk to myself? The solution I haven't discussed with anyone is wiring my iHome to my bike and blasting music (Who is that psycho listening to Metallica?)
3) Showering en mass seems to be the answer to my hygiene concerns from earlier. Which is awesome, as I will now know what it's like to be in prison and clean.
4) This is not a closed course to traffic. God help me.
5) In lieu of listening to my iPod, apparently random people will pedal along side me and attempt small talk. Great, so it will be like 100 blind dates, but with nothing to gain.
6) Port-a-Potties. Do I need to elaborate here?
7)Rain or Shine, the ride must go on.

So yeah. Really great stuff was shared last night. SA was laughing so hard his stitches nearly popped out. And ST...thanks for coming to my rescue, and for having the worst poker face ever.

As far as my training goes, I swung my legs out of bed a 5:30 and didn't have shooting bits of pain flying up them. I thought perhaps gangrene had set in, but realized in fact that the muscles were no longer sore (wait until tomorrow legs...once Jami hears this developmentwe will be in TRX training). Tuck did lay the news on me last night that as long as I keep wearing my oh-so-comfortable most favorite pair of North Face trainers that the skin on the bottom of my feet will never grow back, which does not rule gangrene out in the future, so I am purchasing my cycling shoes today online (appropriate as they are key in my comfort and must be broken in soonest).
So off for some spinning at 5:30 with Jami, then a Petticoat Row Event at the R&C. Early night, as I must rise at 5am tomorrow for a day at the office, but this is only half and hour earlier than my new usual so should be cake.

The Snow Day

2010-02-10T08:52:00.005-05:00

Now that I am in bed before 8pm, I don't even need an alarm to be set. What a treat!
I'm up at 5:30am, staring out the window and demanding to know where the snow is (I've delayed a vaycay due to this alleged storm...rear your ugly head now! I demand sledding). Off to the gym for what can only be referred to as Jami's "Girl Power" super secret invite-only spin class.
It's really quite embarrassing if you think it through, as I am the only chick in the class who doesn't arrive early to warm up on a Stair-Master or with weights. Can we discuss what is possibly wrong with these broads? We are all getting ready to lock ourselves in a small, air-condition less room and be yelled at for 60 minutes and pedal as fast as we can, while being "challenged" with "options". Really, you need to warm up? I have a fair amount of a competitive edge to me, but these chicks are just flat out overachievers I tell you.
I also love when Jami prequels her class with "this is a hard one girls", but today's class rocked with some good old 90's rap (more evidence that she is indeed trying to motivate me to move my ass and not suck in August).
The tops of my thighs were the only part of my body aching this morning (probably due to the 20 minutes of lunges we did in Definitions, even though we were promised no leg work). I also have to contemplate what will occur first: The PMC or kidney failure as promised on the bottle of Advil for excessive intake?
After class, I am chatting with Kerith and Carolyn who are heading into an 8:15 spin. Carolyn points out that in a month, I should start doing the classes back to back. I nearly dry-heave at the thought, but she has a valid point.
So now the snow is piling up on everything that sits still, and I have high hopes of sledding this afternoon. Sledding is exercise, right?

A first time for everything...

2010-02-09T15:51:00.037-05:00

The first time you do anything can be exhilerating (I'm hoping this is the case with this training and eventual ride). I found these great "first time" pictures floating around and decided to post.

The first time my sister Pam turned 40...officially a cougar. Decades!

The first time I drove the Pacific Coast Highway.

The first time the Lower's took their kids to the BOX, along with the first time Jami won a Tri-athalon.

The first time Jess and I snowboarded...disastrous (and yes, I wear protective headwear when I ski).

The first time Jen turned 30! Surprise party in Nantucket!

The first summer Maddison came to Nantucket (Caitlin you are next!)

The first dip in the Pacific...awesomeness in Santa Barbara!

The first time we had girl's night on the beach in the winter....

The first time I wore acid washed jeans...and I was in my 20's.

The 3 minute mile

2010-02-09T10:44:00.007-05:00

After laying in bed for a good 20 minutes awake, I regain enough feeling in my legs to walk into the kitchen without cringing. Jami lectured me on the importance of flexibility with my training schedule, and moves strength training with TRX to cardio work on a bike. I also receive an email from our team captain Pete, indicating that there is some sort of office pool on something called "Rookie of the Year" (fitting I suppose) and that my odds are not good. What must my colleagues think of me...
My new awesome playlist titled "girl mix 96" inspires me and really makes me move on the bike; 10 miles in 30 minutes on flats. After I finish up, I sit with Jami and hear about the evils of lactic acid, and how to prevent it from affecting my training (as a side bar here, can we all agree that lactic acid sounds like something a new mother should be worrying with, and not athletes?). Apparently the worst thing I can do is wimp out when sore...I can dip out of strength training but not out of cardio.
And as my husband would agree that I have the musical capabilities of a strip club dj, I follow thru on proving him correct with "Girl's Mix '96", which is a compilation of classic artist's such as Madonna, TLC, Brittney, Salt and Pepa, En Vogue, Janis Joplin and Lady Gaga. It works for me; back off. But stay tuned as I build "rockin thru the 80's".

Definitions

2010-02-08T17:26:00.007-05:00

So I am up with the sun, and at the gym in order to do some light cardio before yoga class. It all went South within 10 minutes of my arrival.
Jane and Jami see me, and essentially bully me to attend Jami's "Definitions" class at 7am. It is an aerobics class with weights, some real fun stuff. My muscles are seizing up about 20 minutes in, and I contemplate how utterly lame it will be if I have to leave, since I see these 7 women everyday at the gym. I stick it out (although I definitely need to mention to someone to remove the clock from the wall).
After I shakily teeter upstairs for Clay's yoga class, I explain to him what I have done and that I may not be able to go into full postures due to the 60 minutes of dumbbell hell I just endured.
"No worries" Clay expresses "just be careful and don't hurt yourself."
20 minutes into class, I am violently shaking and seem to have Clay's undivided attention, as my practice is a mess and I am wobbling in the most simple of postures. I gather my things and leave class and get going on my day, after a much needed hot shower.
I meet with Jami to discuss the parameters of this training, and I have to always hand it to her, her life is crazy but she juggles it well. The girls are just home from school and they seems to have brought some Girl Scout Cookies with them. When Jami inquired as to whether I would like one I said "yes I would, but no thanks." I would normally kick kittens for baked goods but this is all behind me.
Jami is always going on about this "hunt and gather" diet (my thoughts here are...I can kill a pig so why is bacon bad?). I can handle the physical endurance, the exercise and training, but the diet modifications may send me to the edge of the ledge.
No soda, cutting down the booze, 1 cup of coffee a day. Lots of water (duh). My mouth is actually watering as I type this. I did make a bargain with myself regarding alcohol consumption: I can consume Champagne still, as long as it is zero dosage. Yum...Ayala! Which reminds me of dinner at Topper's when we had the caviar, then the Batard-Montrachet...
Moving on from my daydreaming of amazing meals of my life's past, we hammer out a tentative schedule for the next month to be followed. 3 spin classes with an optional 4th, along with plenty of strength training and yoga.
I run home to change out my gym bag for some fresh gear, and head back to the gym for a 5:30 spin session with Johnna. After what seemed to be a crazy amount of out of saddle work, we called it quits and broke for the night.
Tomorrow, I'm off to buy some whole-grain things. Apparently the right carbs are good (I just don't happen to own them already).
Now if I can just make it to bed without my knees locking up and collapsing again...

The Last Lunch

2010-02-07T16:52:00.007-05:00

Super Bowl Sunday. The Falcons aren't playing so I could care less, but I do reflect back on Super Bowl Sunday 2 years ago when I was at Sean Larkin's and dined at French Laundry (David Hulme...thank you again!). What a kick ass meal; I gained almost 2 lbs and had to leave the table for a walk mid-course.
But, that's all in past. Sunday is day 1 of Training. Today's training involves 90 minutes of Yoga with Ann, then a quick spin on the bike (3:22 min mile...good right?). After I collapsed in the shower and made myself presentable, I met with Jami, Jen and Jane for the "last lunch". Jane leaves for California Monday, so our fearsome foursome break briefly while she is on a tequila tour and barrel tastings out West.
We meet at Yoshi's, which is BYOB (luckily between the 4 of us, there is always a bottle of wine with in 15 feet...Jen took the reins and totally followed thru).
While sipping a glass of Eve by Charles Smith (unoaked Chardonnay from Washington State) we do our weekly catch up, over piles of sushi and sashimi. To keep my carb intake to a minimum I restrain and have a single roll, Miso soup and split an order of edamame with Jen.
Now these girls are the inner circle, the core of my girlfriend circuit on this tiny cold lonely Rock. They have seen projects, blogs, diets, etc started and dropped, but they are too polite to mention it, or my inability to commit (ladies, this is why I love you, and would walk across broken glass for you all).
So Jen and Jane smile and nod, like you would to a 4 year old that exclaimed she wanted to be a Barbie Doll when she grew up.
"No seriously," I persist, "they have my Visa card on file. I'm not saying I may do it, I'm saying I am doing it."
Jami steps up to my defense and states that she is personally responsible for my training (okay...maybe not personally responsible but very much taking charge).
"Meet me for lunch tomorrow and we will get started," she tells me, while covering her sashimi in ginger, "You're gonna be great, it's like doing 4 or 5 spinning classes in a row."
Oy vey.

What am I thinking?

2010-02-06T10:45:00.005-05:00

So, if you know me AT ALL...you know that there are a few things about me that might be perceived as high-maintenance. And if you listen to my husband talk about the crap he puts up with, then you may begin to understand why Jami's daughters call me Princess Melissa.
I am the youngest and by decades. This allowed me to be the one-on-one focal point to my entire family, and as an adult I sometimes forget that I am not the center of every surrounding adults universe (it's on my list of "Character Flaws to Work On In 2010").
If I am thirsty, hungry, or tired...then take cover. And bless your heart if I am all 3, because heads will roll and innocent bystanders will be hurt. And I am officially committed to riding a bicycle in August, without constant access to food, water or a pillow.
I hate the rain. I hate driving my car in the rain. If I have on get on a bicycle in the rain...you will hear my screams for miles!
I'm a splash accident prone. And I bruise like a peach. So I constantly look a mess, with tiny bruises littering my arms and legs. This raises my odds of getting severely injured in the next 6 months during this fun training.
I do not compromise my hygiene. I shower twice a day, and I haven't quite figured out what the overnight arrangements are but when I signed up and spoke with Scott something called a "dorm" was mentioned. So the jury is still out on whether I will have access to water that can do more than brush my teeth. I'm also a bit prudish, so changing clothes en mass is also out.
This should be fun.

Okay, I'm game

2010-02-06T10:27:00.006-05:00

After living in Massachusetts for 5 years I have learned that there are a few things that are certain in life up North: Cobblestones will destroy your car, The fireworks on the 4th will get deployed in the fog, and New Yorkers descend upon the island in August when the Pan-Mass Challenge ride is happening on the Cape.
The Pan-Mass challenge is a 192 mile bike ride beginning in Sturbridge and finishing in Provincetown the following day. The 2010 ride marks the 31st ride, and the goal is $31 million to raise for the Jimmy Fund and Dana Farber cancer research.
A close group of friends ride for the Pan-Mass as Team ACK and I always admired them for it, especially since they are all in the hospitality biz and it is ground zero here in August. I was always happy to attend the fundraisers and donate, but never seemed interested in riding, despite my penchant for spinning.
In addition to Team ACK, my company has a team that rides and in the 2010 year, I have decided that I will ride with Team Ruby. So essentially I have signed my life away (or at least my Visa security code) in an effort to raise $4200 for cancer awareness, and to haul myself on a bicycle just shy of 200 miles in 2 days. Awesome.
In an effort to shape up and follow thru on this, I have enlisted close friend and kick ass trainer Jami Lower to take charge of my diet and training. So we are blogging the results here, for all to see and to hold me accountable for my actions.
In 1999, my father was diagnosed with colon cancer, then later in 2005 was diagnosed with prostate cancer. My grandmother is a 10 year survivor of breast cancer and just celebrated her 90th birthday and my father-in-law just finished a rigorous chemotherapy session with non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
So Dad, Non, and Bob...this ride is for you.