It was back to work and working out this week.
The good news: masters swim didn't suck! I had a good time both days and didn't inhale half the pool. I'm still slow but I'm getting more comfortable. I had some great runs this week and am looking forward to my long ride and run this weekend.
The bad news: work, blech. I am at a point where I should walk away from work email and not look again till Monday, but there is so much to do. If I get one more email tonight that pushes my buttons...
Nothing exciting to report otherwise, hence the lack of blogging all week. Have a great weekend!
Friday, November 7, 2008
Next, agility videos!
Thanks to Silvina of Agility in Motion for being there to tape our National!
Here is Max on the Excellent FAST course. I really just use FAST as a warmup run for the others.
Next is Max in Excellent Jumpers. The old man had me a little worried with running slow...
but he picked it up and got a 3rd place in Excellent Standard!
Now, remember that Stanley isn't ready to trial yet and probably won't truly be for another year. He doesn't really know what weave poles are yet. That said, I was thrilled he stayed on course with me and had fun out there!
And now for some good laughs, the trigility relay runs! This is a for-fun-only kind of event. Both boys had a good time, Max (Chucky Cheeseballs team) got the gamble section, and Stan (Stan the Man & his Lady Cruisers)...well, Stan enjoyed the course as only a baby dog can.
Here is Max on the Excellent FAST course. I really just use FAST as a warmup run for the others.
Next is Max in Excellent Jumpers. The old man had me a little worried with running slow...
but he picked it up and got a 3rd place in Excellent Standard!
Now, remember that Stanley isn't ready to trial yet and probably won't truly be for another year. He doesn't really know what weave poles are yet. That said, I was thrilled he stayed on course with me and had fun out there!
And now for some good laughs, the trigility relay runs! This is a for-fun-only kind of event. Both boys had a good time, Max (Chucky Cheeseballs team) got the gamble section, and Stan (Stan the Man & his Lady Cruisers)...well, Stan enjoyed the course as only a baby dog can.
Herding Photos from the National
First up, herding photos of Stanley, courtesy of Doghouse Arts!
Taking the leash off to walk to the sheep
He's very focused...
And he's off!
Taking the leash off to walk to the sheep
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| From 2008_BCCANationalHerding |
He's very focused...
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| From 2008_BCCANationalHerding |
And he's off!
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| From 2008_BCCANationalHerding |
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| From 2008_BCCANationalHerding |
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| From 2008_BCCANationalHerding |
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| From 2008_BCCANationalHerding |
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| From 2008_BCCANationalHerding |
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| From 2008_BCCANationalHerding |
Monday, November 3, 2008
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?
* 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?
Saturday, November 1, 2008
We're home!
I will have many more photos from other people coming over the next few days or weeks. In the meantime, here are just a few from BOB yesterday.
Best of Breed dog lineup - Stan in the middle
I love this shot and his expression. He is just an adolescent but he really is looking good here! I can't tell you how much he LOVES the show ring and how hard he will work for string cheese.
Beatrix looking clearly a bit more mature than her brother
Best of Breed dog lineup - Stan in the middle
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| From 2008_Oct31 |
I love this shot and his expression. He is just an adolescent but he really is looking good here! I can't tell you how much he LOVES the show ring and how hard he will work for string cheese.
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| From 2008_Oct31 |
Beatrix looking clearly a bit more mature than her brother
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| From 2008_Oct31 |
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| From 2008_Oct31 |
Friday, October 31, 2008
BCCA National - Day 7 (the end!)
Jeff arrived with Cujo this morning. We basically hadn't seen each other for more than a few minutes at a time for a week so it was nice to see him :)
The morning began with pouring rain. Just what you want when showing a heavily coated breed outdoors! Stanley was the youngest special in the ring by quite a bit, but he free-stacked on his own and moved beautifully. I was thrilled when he made the first cut! After that only older dogs (3-4+ yrs old) were selected but I was still happy with our outing. His sister Beatrix, who definitely looks more mature in terms of coat and size, won an Award of Merit!
I have GREAT photos and I can't get them uploaded - stoopid hotel wireless! I promise tomorrow when we get home!
The morning began with pouring rain. Just what you want when showing a heavily coated breed outdoors! Stanley was the youngest special in the ring by quite a bit, but he free-stacked on his own and moved beautifully. I was thrilled when he made the first cut! After that only older dogs (3-4+ yrs old) were selected but I was still happy with our outing. His sister Beatrix, who definitely looks more mature in terms of coat and size, won an Award of Merit!
I have GREAT photos and I can't get them uploaded - stoopid hotel wireless! I promise tomorrow when we get home!
Thursday, October 30, 2008
BCCA National Specialty - Days 5 and 6
*smack* Bad blogger, bad blogger. I didn't get an update done yesterday. It was just too insane.
Wednesday: Started at 4am with leaving to take dogs to be groomed. Got back to the show site by 11am just in time to see Winners Dog awarded. Showed both my boys in the Parade of Titleholders, where they tried to kill me by dragging me all over together. Playtime with dogs in my room. Dinner with the Mulcasters and the Smiths.
Thursday: First day I got to sleep in! Showed cousin Penelope in Altered Bitch and watched the bitch class judging. Stan was used as a demo dog in the judges education seminar and I learned a lot from that. He loved it, stacked himself over and over for everyone. We're finally back in the room to warm up for a bit. It's COLD!
Tomorrow Jeff and Cujo will arrive, Stanley will show in Best of Breed and we'll be DONE! Hopefully more photos soon.
Wednesday: Started at 4am with leaving to take dogs to be groomed. Got back to the show site by 11am just in time to see Winners Dog awarded. Showed both my boys in the Parade of Titleholders, where they tried to kill me by dragging me all over together. Playtime with dogs in my room. Dinner with the Mulcasters and the Smiths.
Thursday: First day I got to sleep in! Showed cousin Penelope in Altered Bitch and watched the bitch class judging. Stan was used as a demo dog in the judges education seminar and I learned a lot from that. He loved it, stacked himself over and over for everyone. We're finally back in the room to warm up for a bit. It's COLD!
Tomorrow Jeff and Cujo will arrive, Stanley will show in Best of Breed and we'll be DONE! Hopefully more photos soon.
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