Monday, Monday...

A random assortment of thoughts to start off the week:

* It's good to be back home, our own house, our own yard, my own bed (where I am finally catching up on SLEEP, that most precious of commodities). I wish the dogs weren't so fixated on Our Walk Schedule - can't they just run around the yard for a couple days before demanding a walk? We were home, I kid you not, less than 20minutes before they were standing at the door expecting to go somewhere.

* Speaking of dogs and schedules: Dear Dogs, Daylight Saving Time has ended. If you would go to bed when we do and wait until you hear us talking to wake up, then we could all be on the same schedule. Note to Cujo, 3:30am is NOT the same thing as 7:00am. Please stop trying to wake us up then. Your consideration is appreciated. Sincerely, The Management.

* We really had one amazing week at the beardie national when I stop and think about it. My first time out to trial in herding and we come home with 2 qualifying legs and a new title. 3 months of no agility trialing (other than that disastrous trip to Pleasanton the weekend before) and Max gets a double-Q with a 3rd in Standard - bear in mind, most of the dogs were so hyped up that they didn't qualify. Still just a baby dog in training and Stanley ran a fast jumpers course. And then...I still consider myself a very green handler in conformation. So to walk into the competitive national ring against handlers and breeders I've been in awe of with an immature 19-month-old and come out with a BOS in Sweeps and having made the cut in Breed? Huge. Just huge. We are not likely to make it to the 2009 National in Minneapolis, so 2010 in Fort Collins, look out!

* I had a long run to do on Sunday. 2 hours, the longest time I'd go in prep for Vegas - 90 minutes at a pretty easy pace and the last 30 at race pace. I guess my body decided to let me know how exhausting the week had been, as it hurt more than I had expected. I was depressed at first but I'm moving on now and focusing on recovery so that I can be stronger to tackle the next one.

* I'll be back at masters swim dark and early tomorrow morning. Ugh. I'm dreading it so much after a week away - not for any particular reason, but I feel a bit of a dark cloud hovering over my swimming right now. I know it's just something I need to get through and it will improve. I keep telling myself, my first 70.3 of the year is in JUNE. I have lots and lots of time.

* I spent the weekend firming up any remaining needed flight/hotel reservations for races in 2009. Yes, it might be early but I am anal-retentive that way and wanted to get the best fares and close hotels (especially in the cases where I am not renting a car) before things booked up. I also registered for the Vineman events on my schedule when they opened up on Saturday. Now I just need to figure out the best way to get my bicycle to Florida for Tri Blogger Chicks Camp in February and Georgia for the Augusta 70.3 in September. Everything else will be a drive-to race.

* Ironman Arizona is less than 3 weeks away! I will be flying down to volunteer at the race and sign up for next year. I also finally get to meet my coach who will be racing!

* 7 more weeks to survive until (a) our holiday shutdown and (b) Jeff and I spend half of December in Arizona. Work has been...trying lately. I love my boss and co-workers, but the culture of this organization has been quite frustrating recently and I know I will be spending the next 7 weeks trying to push through a procedural change that is, frankly, boring. Would I be crazy to think that taking the 2nd half of 2009 off from my job would serve me well in Ironman training?