So apparently I have this thing called a life. I didn't used to have one. I used to come home, get on the computer, and be a bum. In the past year and a half I've taken up running, gone back to Jujutsu, etc.

I literally have something going on every single Saturday and Sunday for the next two or three months. Whether it's Ninja Camp, or a 5K race, or a marathon, or a wedding, or the Ren Faire, I'm booked for it.

This came up somewhat recently when Keith asked me if I was busy a few Sundays from now. I immediately and confidently said, "Yes," but when he asked what I'm busy doing (half the activities he's participating in anyway), I got a blank look on my face, akin to deer-in-headlights, and said, "I don't know. But I know I AM busy." And then I immediately started mentally jogging through (no pun intended) all of the races I've registered for.

I think I finally remember what it was a few minutes later, and now I've forgotten again. That's why Google calendar is such a handy tool to have, kids.

In semi-related news that I'm sure I've mentioned before, I'm officially in training for a triathlon. Or many triathlons. We'll see how the first one goes. I have the running part down, and I feel comfortable about the biking part. The swimming part....? Well, I just got my order of new goggles, new swim cap, and new kickboard in, and they've been helping me tremendously.

In totally UNRELATED news, John got me this absolutely gorgeous ring. It has very small diamonds in it, which I like, because big stones drive me nuts and make me fidget and remove rings, subsequently losing or misplacing them. This one is so nicely shaped that I usually forget I'm wearing it. And it's in a size 6.5, as opposed to all my other rings, which are size 8.5 due to what I *used* to weigh. So I adore this one. :) John is awesome.

After the 5K I had on Thursday, I had *another* 5K on Saturday morning. Keith was in rare form, forgetting his bib, his timing chip that I had paid for that he picked up AHEAD OF TIME, and for which I will get charged since he can't find it (GRRRR), so when we actually lined up for the race, we had about 10 seconds to get mentally prepped for it, AND we started behind all of the runners and walkers, and there were about 1,300 people in this particular race.

All that being said, I ran my fastest 5K yet. Thankfully I had my Nike+ kit on, and it tracked me at roughly 10:30-minute miles, which makes me really happy. I'm really looking for a sub 30-minute 5K, and I'm getting pretty close to it!

But honestly, I'm just happy I could run two good 5Ks in three days, in addition to Weapons class, walking around Festa Italiana for a few hours, AND going to Jujutsu on Saturday after the second race.

I took a much-deserved break from exercise yesterday, probably my first day off in a month.

In other (semi) related news, Sensei sent out an email about Ninja Camp. Two days of training in martial arts (Ninpo included), archery, shuriken-throwing, woods training, weapons, etc. That's going to be awesome, and then I can make all of the "This one time at Ninja Camp.." jokes.

Another 5K down...one more to go this week. Yes, I am insane for registering for two 5K races less than 48 hours apart. Not to mention the fact that I have Weapons class tomorrow night, and Jujutsu after the 5K on Saturday.

I'm happy to say that I beat my PR by over two minutes. I came in at 33:40, I believe, which equates to around 11-minute miles. That's a far cry from the 42:18 I did at my first race. Granted, that WAS during a blizzard, but still. Eventually I WILL break that 10-minute mile mark. I can't help it if i have shorter legs than most.

The course was beautiful. It went along Lake Michigan, and then wound around a lagoon before heading back to the Summerfest grounds. I believe the Irish Fest 5K is going to be similar. The 5K on Saturday will be taking place at Miller Park, which should be interesting.

After the 5K, Keith and I wandered around Festa Italiana for a couple of hours, so needless to say, I'm pretty tired. Off to bed I go! :)

I just checked the weather for Friday, which is the next time I have Weapons class. Mercifully it's only going to be in the 70's. I've learned a new equation:

Hot bodies + hot dojo + weapons practice + Traci in a heavy weapons gi top, shirt, pants, hakama, hachimaki, and tabi = BAD

Between work, which has been driving me nuts, and everything else life is throwing at me, I think I'm losing my mind.

I hear about these TV shows that I should see. Bwahahaha...when?? Let's see, I wake up, go to work, come home, eat, go to the gym or the dojo, help my father with his homework or go to a wedding or something else that sort of mandates my presence, etc.

I've had absolutely no time to just sit and chill and do nothing. I used to be jealous of the people who said things like, "There just aren't enough hours in the day," and now I'm one of them.

Yeah, I could quit my job, stop exercising, stop going to martial arts....but I've committed to each of them, and while I am still very committed, I just want a freaking break. Just one day to myself where I don't do anything but play video games.

Now that I've vented, time to go back to planning my triathlon training. Yes, I realize that I'm doing this to myself, and therefore shouldn't bitch about it, but ah well.

I got to see John almost every day this past week, from Tuesday night on. That was very refreshing, as normally I only get to see him on the weekends. Much-needed reconnectiong happened, at least on my end.

Yesterday Keith and I went to the Ren Faire. I had to get an entire new outfit. The old chemise, skirt, and bodice were so big on me that they pretty much fell off when I put them on. My credit cards are screaming at me, but I have gorgeous new garb and a lovely ear wrap.

In other totally unrelated news, I ate way too much over the past week. Between the wedding, stress and fatigue, and the Faire, I just let go. I did have a few good days, but overall the week was a wash. I'm starting all over again today. I have 26 pounds left to go to get to goal.

I'm also starting my training for the sprint triathlon today. It's going to be really difficult to work in a swimming/biking/running/weights regimen in addition to the martial arts and weapons classes, but I think I'll be able to do it.

Weapons class was interesting. At one point Sensei (who I've considered a friend ever since we worked at Barnes & Noble together nine years ago) was talking about holding and using a hanbo (3' staff) correctly so that you don't slam it up into another guy's crotch. Sensei was saying how you want to control the hanbo, "so you don't lose your stick."

Ok, sick-minded individual that I am, I figure it's a pun on his part. Slamming some guy in the groin = him losing his stick? Anyway, I start giggling, and I'm THE ONLY ONE doing so. Sensei said, "I don't mean THAT way."

How ironic is it that, among a group of all guys and being the only girl, I'M the one who gets the inadvertent penis pun?

Now, the semi-bad part is that it took me several minutes to stop giggling, but Sensei was kind enough not to tell me to shut up already.

Side note: I pulled a Hermione Granger at the end of class. Sensei was pointing to various parts of the sword and asking people for the names (in Japanese). I, um, knew all of them. We're talking something like 20+ different parts. And I was the only one who knew all of them. A few others knew a couple. But yeah, I felt like a show-off.

But the parts I knew included: Mono Uchi, Hamon, Ha, Hi, Mune, Mekugi, Menuki, Shinogi, Seppa, Habaki, Fuchi, Ito, Same, Sageo, Saya, Kashira, Kojiri, Kuri-Kata, Koiguchi, Yokote, Kissaki, Yakiba, Ji, Tsuka, Tsuba, etc.

The past two days were fun, but very hectic. John's sister Angie got married on July 4th. I was sort of the self-appointed backup photographer, and shockingly enough the pictures turned out really well.

It was also a LOT of running around, not getting much sleep, etc. And I stuffed my face pretty bad. Not as bad as I once would have, but let's just say that my body hates me right now. As of today I'm officially detoxing by not touching anything with sugar in it.

I looked really good for the wedding, and was very happy to wear a size 8 dress.

John and I were together from 2pm on Wednesday until 9pm last night, and I have to say that being apart from him today has been sort of rough. I hardly ever get to spend that much alone time with him, so it was VERY welcome. And now I miss him.

He was so sweet to me, and looked absolutely incredibly handsome in his suit at the wedding. I even managed to get a couple pictures of him smiling, which is awesome.

Yesterday morning we went swimming at the hotel before heading off to the wedding site to help his mom take back the wedding decorations. Rather, HE swam and I sort of shivered a lot in the pool and had him just sort of hold on to me to keep me warm. Real auspicious start to my triathlon training, there.

Oh yeah, I'm officially declaring that I'm going to start training for a triathlon! I have the running part down, can probably do the biking part, but the swimming part is sort of non-existent at this point for me. I did order a swim cap and goggles though, and my training will begin next week. I have almost a year to get ready, which should be sufficient.