currently: may 2016

05/31/2016

And, suddenly it’s the end of May. How did that happen?! Here’s what’s been up this month… 

biking

A lot. No running this month meant many, many hours in the saddle… just over 44, to be exact – and, all without power. It’s been interesting training by feel again, but it’s definitely helped me get more in tune with my body. That said, I’m ecstatic to have power again (and a shiny new tri bike!) this week! 

Here’s a look at all that riding in photos (sorry, no trainer pics because we can all agree that those are incredibly boring, right?!)… 

coeur-jersey
wrapping up my biggest cycling week ever with an easy spin around MSP.
st-croix
calm morning miles along the St. Croix and Wisco 35.
mexi-coke
Mexi Coke = worth the 50-mile wait… and, perfect fuel for the wicked (head)wind of the west.

All that cycling – including one four-hour sweat fest on the trainer – resulted in some really smelly cycling shoes. Did you know you can throw ’em in the dishwasher? Works like a charm! 

dishwasher

listening to

Cheryl Strayed. I first read her book, Wild, while sailing in the Bahamas and not long after heard her speak at a luncheon in Minneapolis. Lucky me got hear her speak (and had a book signed!) again this past month at Confab. Her message focused on doing hard things, which make life less hard and more beautiful. I couldn’t agree more. Other takeaways: all of our stories are worth telling; the unexpected things are actually the things you need most; to keep going even when it hurts, one step at a time; and, to keep faith with what you can do. Wise woman. 

cheryl-strayed

speaking at

Grand Performance women’s week. I’m a big fan of GP and everyone who works there – other than Nick, Lee the mechanic is the only person I trust with my bike – so when I heard about women’s week, I had to participate. So, lucky me got to speak to a small group of awesome women about triathlon and how I approach goal setting. After a fun chat + Q&A, we all learned how to quickly change a flat. Great tips, and pretty sure I could now change a flat in about five minutes! 

reading

A couple years ago as part of a 100-day challenge, I committed to reading for 20-30 minutes before bed. That fell by the wayside for awhile, but it’s back – both before bed and before Sunday morning long rides (the latter inspiration from Holly!). I’ve been into historical non-fiction lately and couldn’t put down The Girls of Atomic City. I learned so much about WWII – the premise of the book obviously (that an entire city, the majority staffed by badass + smart women, was created in Tennessee to help build the atomic bomb), but also a few other facts I apparently missed in high school history (Roosevelt died during the middle of it, and Germany surrendered before the war ended… how did I not remember either of these facts?! Would things have been different if Roosevelt hadn’t died?? Fascinating). 

atomic-city

I’m currently about 50 pages into Angela Duckworth’s new book, Grit, and you guys, this is a must-read. I’ve found find myself nodding in agreement nearly every page. Not only is Duckworth a fantastic storyteller, she’s also smart and incredibly determined (quitting a gig at McKinsey to teach?! Grit, for sure). She argues that while talent is important, effort is even more so. I couldn’t agree more. There’s power and magic in hard work, folks. More to come on this book, but in the meantime, read this column on grit and quitting by Duckworth.

grit

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13 Comments

  • Reply nicoleheininger 05/31/2016 at 9:29 am

    Love your posts girl! Keep it up, I enjoy following you and your journey! 🙂
    You really put your bike shoes in the dishwasher?!? Mine are so disgusting, I would be afraid to even clean dishes after putting them in there! hahaha

    • Reply erin 06/01/2016 at 11:09 am

      Thanks, Nicole! And, likewise… so fun to read your posts and follow your journey! Such an exciting year 🙂
      Yes! It works! I run them through sans dishes using Cascade… they smell so much better (though aren’t completely stink-free)!
      Excited to catch up soon!

  • Reply Runner Leana 05/31/2016 at 9:37 am

    Thank you so much for your old post about cleaning bike shoes in the dishwasher! I’ve used that trick a few times now and it works so well!
    How cool that you got to hear Cheryl Strayed speak. I just finished reading Wild and I loved her story. What great reflections.
    Thank you for the recommendation on Grit!

    • Reply erin 06/01/2016 at 11:10 am

      You’re welcome, Leana! So glad it works for you, too! Mine don’t smell like roses, but they’re immensely better than they were 🙂

      Isn’t Wild just so good?! Have you watched the movie yet? They did a great job capturing the book.

  • Reply Erin 05/31/2016 at 9:45 am

    this post just reminded me that I NEED to order that cycling wallet/pouch. I’m starting to ride my bike home from work once a week (30 miles) and that will come in handy.

    • Reply erin 06/01/2016 at 11:12 am

      Yeah! It’s a must for cycling – and, works great as an everyday wallet, too 🙂

      So awesome you’re bike commuting home from work! Such a great way to wind down from the day!

  • Reply Leslie @ TriathleteTreats 06/01/2016 at 10:13 pm

    Great May!! I can’t believe it is June either!! Where has the year gone? Sounds like your cycling is going good. I bet you have been working harder without power…so you will be pleasantly surprised when you get your new bike right?! 😉

    • Reply erin 06/09/2016 at 10:01 pm

      Thanks, Leslie! No idea how it’s June. The days are long, but the years are short, right?! First ride with power tonight… pleasantly surprised, indeed! But, we’ll see about longer rides… true test right there! Hope your IMWI training is going well!

  • Reply Luv What You Do 06/04/2016 at 8:41 pm

    I listened to a podcast about the women of WWII Loved it! And also loved wild!

    • Reply erin 06/09/2016 at 10:05 pm

      Ooo… that sounds like an excellent listen. What podcast was it? Wild a must-read! Next on my list is Tracks… have you read that?!

      • Reply Luv What You Do 06/24/2016 at 11:03 pm

        No…I am neck deep in yoga books but will add it to my list. Just added the other one you suggested about laughing and crying. It was stuff you missed in history class. Love that podcast!

  • Reply Danielle @ Eat Primal, Run Hard 06/11/2016 at 2:29 pm

    Your comments on Cheryl Strayed: rings so true to me right now! This is how I’m feeling, what I keep telling myself when I’m out on a mountain ascent and just wanting to stop and sit.

    What you wrote about talent and effort: so true! I see that in my students all the time. I’d rather teach a hard-working, persevering student that needs help academically, than an incredibly intelligent, but lazy kid who doesn’t really care.

    • Reply erin 07/05/2016 at 7:54 am

      Isn’t she great?! Have you read her book, Brave Enough? Filled with inspirational nuggets of wisdom. Highly recommend Duckworth’s book, too. Filled with applicable wisdom!

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