THURSDAY Thursday thursday

1. After much debate, I have decided that due to other work travel (Africa x2 likely before May), personal commitments (non-negotiable weddings), and Ironman training, I will only be going to Sydney for about 7-8 days in April. In the past, I have had the luxury of taking time off surrounding work trips and have been so lucky to see some pretty amazing things. I studied Eastern Religions in undergrad, so when a work trip took me to India in 2008, it was an easy decision to use all my vacation (and savings) to explore the country. Australia doesn't have the same lure to me, but I've been feeling a bit guilty about not wanting to make it a big trip. Work colleagues are planning some great trips, including New Zealand and the Great Barrier Reef. Every time I consider these options, in my heart there is always a 'But..'

I am not in the same place I was in 2008. I have other commitments, someone at home that I would miss painfully if I was away for 3+ weeks, and I am not nearly as flippant when it comes to my savings account. There are some really cool things to see in Sydney, some great pools I plan to swim in, some great bike paths I plan to ride, and I know in my heart that I won't regret the decision. My life this year is going to somewhat revolve around Ironman, and if that means sightseeing Sydney and the surrounding coast via bike, I am at peace with that.

2. I have this bizarr-o thing called Cold urticaria (self-diagnosis, obviously). Basically, when my skin gets really cold, or changes temperatures really fast, it gets bright red, itchy and sometimes if I scratch (or not) I break out in hives. I have had the hive issue since I was a little - I would get hives on my thighs/shoulders when we first moved to the outdoor pool in the Spring when the air and/or water were still on the chilly side. I also learned quickly that itching makes the hives worse, which sometimes would results in needing to get out of practice :)

This morning, it reared its' ugly head for the first time this winter. It's never really an issue when I am running, but if I'm rushed in the morning and get directly in the shower after a cold run, the tops of my thighs and stomach basically blow up in hives that are PAINFULLY itchy. This morning, it resulted in one big hive on my tummy that basically make me look like I was 4 months pregnant. Awesome.

3. I'm currently obsessed with: dried cherries, avocado, butternut squash and spinach. In any combination. Or alone. Adding walnuts also is highly recommended. Roasting the squash in salt, pepper, olive oil and HONEY is also recommended.