a real recovery week

Post BSLT last week was a recovery week: A real recovery week with 2 actual days of not working out, and not that working recovery thing I seem to mostly do. I really needed it, I was tired. Funny how long it takes to really come back after a big race.

I don't know what to do with myself with extra time. So here's what I got done during recovery week.

* I went shopping and bought actual girly work clothes for myself. It's been way too long since I bought clothes for myself that weren't wicking. Clothes that look good, that fit me, and aren't race t-shirts.

At first I found this challenging. I ask you - what is up with the bad fitting clothes? Do they not appreciate feminine figures anymore? The tube-tops? The long shorts thing? The in-laws are in town from Scotland. I took my mother-in-law with me, and she picked up a piece at Old Baby and said, "Oh this is a nice skirt!" I said, I think you'll find that's supposed to be a top. She said, "surely not, this is a skirt, see here's the waist..." and I said, uh, that's where your breasts are supposed to go.

Oops.

Nonetheless, two major cute outfits purchased, in my age range - in spite of the fact that current fashion would have me looking like a 70's refugee, or 80's retropunk (been there, done that). Once I hit the right zone, it was like triathlete heaven - everything was my size, everything was on sale, it all looked good. Plus, since I'm viewed as an athlete in my circles, somewhat casual dress is totally accepted. Yes, I am trying to dress like a grown-up.

* I bought a new pair of shoes. Me and shoes have been very stand-offish with each other lately, I've had a very conservative shoe relationship going on. I ditched my orthotics a few months ago, I gradually weaned myself off them. I know now that I need to always wear shoes with good arch support (heels are right out). Many of my old shoes are just inadequate, or I wore them before I changed everything by wearing the orthotics. And I've been slowly wearing out the decent old shoes (with the orthotics) and not replacing them. Plus, summer is here - sandals with good arch support has to be a special purchase. I got these gorgeous Chacos on sale and I heart them.

* I got both cars washed. I've been too busy to even stop by the car wash for I don't know how long. You never know how long it will take in the carwash queue - could be 10 minutes, could be an hour (Tick Tock, people!), so the cars have gotten pretty gross. Basic maintenance has been achieved (oil changes, etc.) because without it, let's face it, you don't have a car. Anything over that gets demoted on the list.

* I re-filled my favourite face lotion, a real girly luxury. I've been running low forever, and have been too busy to go and get some. It required a trip to the mall - a place I don't seem to frequent anymore.

* I have been reading an actual book not about triathlon. It's really good. It has words and everything. No pictures, no lists, no numbers. Weird.

* The yard maintenance has been lacking for some time. We're so far behind on the maintenance of tree limbs and leaves and cutting things, I've had to get help with that one. So I hired help this week. Soon we'll be able to use our back yard again, and we might even unearth the grill!

I still need to make that trip to the hair salon. Sadly, I didn't get there before recovery week ended. It may be months before my hair gets attention again. It's getting absurdly long now.

Unfortunately, my children look seriously neglected. Does no one cut their hair?

oops. I think that's my job...