S.L.O.W.

Went for 50 mile ride today. If I've called you and went off about the NYC bike thing, you know my deal. I've been feeling like I don't want to ride ever, it's damn cold in NYC and bottom line, I'm just not feeling the bike. I was starting to think that if I didn't feel better about riding then I would not be signing up for another Ironman while living in the city.

So...today gearing up for a 50 mile ride with the 5 Borough Bike Club leaving from Columbus Circle at 9. Get there early, I'm actually dressed for the weather, I gave myself a be positive pep talk before I left the house. The group was split in 2, the Quick Spinners and the Slow Group. Jeremy, Kristen and I were going with the Quick Spinners. I check my bike and realize that BOTH tires are flat. Holy shit. I dress for the damn weather, bring food, completely prepared and forget to pump my tires before I leave? WTF? So, I think that I can make it across the GW Bridge with the group, starting pedaling and I'm most definitely not making it across the bridge. I pull over and some nice guy stops and pumps up my tires and I wait for the "Slow Group."

Every ride that I've done since moving here, I've just hated it the whole entire time. But, today riding with the Slow Group, when I least expected it, I got my bike mojo back. I just rode. I didn't push myself, I didn't beat myself up that I sucked on the bike, I just chilled. I rode like 13 miles an hour and loved every minute of it. It never felt like torture. It made me realize that I can ride without hating it. And even though I'm riding a sick, fast bike, I can take it easy if I feel like it. I needed that so bad. I don't need to get all emo, but for serious, thank you Slow Group. You may have saved my season.

Completely unexpected, 100% necessary.

thank you dj kool

For your words of inspiration while I carried this up 4 FLIGHTS OF STAIRS BY MYSELF:
Now all the ladies in the place
If you got real hair, real fingernails
If you got a job, you going to school
And y'all need nobody to help you handle your business
Make some noise

I don't need nobody to help me handle my business. I'm gonna go clear my throat while I put this bitch together.

bmore style baby

http://nymag.com/news/features/45305/
So yesterday on the train, I read this amazing article about John Waters. Sometimes I forget how much love him. Then I read something like that and I remember.

2 things stuck out to me as so true.

1. "Waters is constitutionally inclined toward routines, which dovetails nicely with the demands of his particular type of fame. There are plenty of people who are more famous than Waters, but relatively few, living, who are more iconic. Because being an icon takes commitment. You have to develop a shtick and you have to stick with it and you have to publicize it."

2. This was my favorite quote and I feel exactly the same way.
"But I have no favorite time. Tomorrow. Now is my favorite time. Because I mean I have great memories, but I don’t have nostalgia."

read that article and remember why you love John Waters.

i hate yoga

I went to yoga this morning as part of my Recovery Week. As many times as I have told my "coach" (mother) that I hate yoga and it's for the birds, she continues to add it to my schedule. I'm terrible. I am the least flexible person ever, I can barely touch my knees, haha on the toes. Teachers usually don't even bother helping me because I'm such a lost cause.

BUT, this is my favorite pose that the yoga has:

I will stay until the bitter end so I can lay on the floor for 5 uninterrupted minutes and then have the teacher come around and rub my shoulders. I don't know if the 55 minutes of torture before it is worth it though. I guess I could lie on the floor of my apartment instead.

Providence in pictures

The quick trip to Providence pretty much ruled. Got out of the city, ate some food, drank a lot, shopped, partied.

Packing was pretty easy.

Allison's theme for the weekend was channeling Lindsay Lohan.
Example # 1
"Pretending" to avoid the paps while drunk in the morning.

Example # 2
The photo op by the buzz making, Planned Parenthood Express


Example # 3
The wasted peace sign (my personal fav)

The city of Providence's theme was hilarious signs

And me...I was poppin bottles.
Time to plan for the next weekend getaway. I think we might be too old for the Greyhound though.

toughness

I'm going to need to get these ASAP

the theme for the Providence trip

stay tuned loyalists

Things have been weird for a few weeks but they have taken a major upturn.
Going to Providence Friday morning for a night of girl time pampering. Training is back on track. Acupuncture is going well. Apartment decorations are underway. Still seeing celebs at every turn (Molly Shannon for 2nd time, Mark Ruffalo).

Stay tuned for pictures of some Rhode Island craziness (including ice cream).