June, I just saw your

June, I just saw your comment on the previous entry and WOW — I definitely could not have made it through 18 innings last night. Too bad the Astros still lost. What’s up with Lidge? That’s been the question all season. Five blown saves, but it feels like 50.
I spent last night relaxing and destressing. Like I said, I have a tendency to get overwhelmed at times, but I always feel better if I just take a step back and look at the big picture. So I did.
I went swimming after work in the overchlorinated pool (two showers later, I still smell like chlorine) and did 1500 yards in 37:45. 800 yards of that was warmup and cooldown, so less than half of the yardage was the actual workout. Following this training program has gotten me more using to warming up and cooling down before going hard — something that I have always been bad at. I tend to just get out and go! Good news is, I think I’ve gotten a little faster in the water. I can consistently do 50s in just under 1 minute now, even at the end of the workout when I’m tired.
After that, I had dinner with Jose and we headed to Academy to get him ready for camping this weekend. He needed a sleeping bag and a raincoat or poncho, and we found both at Academy. He got a 25-degree mummy bag that’s got all the same features as mine for $36! I’m pretty sure I paid more than that for the one I got online a few years ago. Mine might be a little lighter, but if so, it’s only be a few ounces. I was impressed.
At dinner I rattled nervously about hiking, to the point where Jose finally said “you know, you’re making me think I won’t like it.” It was only then that I really realized how nervous I’ve been about the prospect of going hiking and camping with him. When hiking, I am a very destination-oriented person, and am always looking for something to summit. I like to get to the highest thing around and see what I can see. I think, I know, that he will prefer a slower pace. I know our styles will be different, but why does that bother me? I have plenty of friends that I hike with who prefer different paces and destinations, and that doesn’t bug me. For some reason, I kept thinking this would be a problem with me and Jose, but of course it won’t. As he said last night, “I don’t like baseball, but I go with you to games because you like it.” Good point. If he doesn’t like my rather intense style of hiking, it doesn’t mean he doesn’t like me.
Anyway, I got over it, and I am mega-excited to be going to the mountains with my boy. Tonight after my brick workout (the last before the tri, since I won’t have a bike in Colorado!), I’m going to pack. Packing is yet another thing that stresses me out, but not if I have a list, so this afternoon I will make one. I’m going to have to take the big suitcase since I need 1) hiking clothes for this weekend, 2) work clothes for the conference next week, and 3) running clothes since running will have to substitute for all my biking workouts for the next week. Well, maybe. Rich will also be at the conference, which is at Keystone Resort. There’s no snow, of course, so no skiing, but he mentioned going mountain biking. That would be really fun.
Today I’m listening to my new favorite album: Under the Iron Sea, by Keane. All the songs are poppy. They make me happy.