One thing that did kinda bothered me from the race was the presence of those big, ugly, judgemental letters “DNF” that went up next to my name when they posted the results on the stadium scoreboard and online and in other various print media. “DNF” for those of you who may not know stands for “Did Not Finish”. It’s nothing positive. In fact, it usually means that an athlete has 1. Pulled up due to some instantaneous injury, 2. Was having such a nightmare performance that they stepped off the track or 3. Was unfortunate enough to get caught up in some sort of track scrap and as a result ended up biting it hard somewhere near the water jump. Bottom line, its never good news and so I was horrified to see it up there, in lights for the entire world to read. Never in my life have I been a “DNF”. Even on my worst days, I always got my ass to the finish line. It was a pride thing I guess, not wanting to whimp out just cos things didn’t go my way. So having to suck it up right now was frustrating. As soon as I saw it I wanted to hunt down the announcer, pull the microphone out of his hand and inform the crowd that I was not as the scoreboard implied “A failure” but a “Pace-Maker”, “its my job to step off, so why am I being treated like this?” However, I have a feeling that that outburst may have lead to a result looking more like “Karen Shinkins DNF/PSYCHO” which would not really have helped me save any kind of face. Therefore, in my humble opinion, the only real solution is to add the abbreviation “PM” (Pace-Maker) to each track meets box of verbal trickery. It’s so much less judgmental and helps avoid any feelings of hurt or wounded pride experienced by some of us more sensitive and egotistical pace-makers. Just a thought.Monday, February 9, 2009
Karen Shinkins DNF/PSYCHO
So this past Saturday was the day of my 2009 pace-making debut at the Boston Indoor Games and I’m happy to report it was a job well done, I think. My confusion arises from the fact that the athletes didn’t utilize me to the full. They hung back off the pace a little too much and as a result left me thinking I had taken it out way to hard. A quick look at the clock as we went through the first 200m told my I was in fact a second ahead of what they were looking for, so after a couple of glances over the shoulder to try and judge the distance between myself and the rest of the field, I decided to steady it up a bit, allowing the ladies to pull that bit closer and drive the pace on from there. But there were no takers. Nobody really wanted to sit on my shoulder and work the race hard from the front. I’m guessing there was some calculating and tactical movements going on behind me that I was unaware of, so I just kept trying to encourage them towards me by constantly checking over my shoulder and adjusting my pace. Once we were past the 500m mark, I stepped off to the side and let the ladies hash it out for the remaining 300m. I was a little out of steam but not crippled. My endurance and fitness is definitely much better than I had been giving myself credit for, so next time it’ll be all the way to 600m, maybe even more, who knows ; )
One thing that did kinda bothered me from the race was the presence of those big, ugly, judgemental letters “DNF” that went up next to my name when they posted the results on the stadium scoreboard and online and in other various print media. “DNF” for those of you who may not know stands for “Did Not Finish”. It’s nothing positive. In fact, it usually means that an athlete has 1. Pulled up due to some instantaneous injury, 2. Was having such a nightmare performance that they stepped off the track or 3. Was unfortunate enough to get caught up in some sort of track scrap and as a result ended up biting it hard somewhere near the water jump. Bottom line, its never good news and so I was horrified to see it up there, in lights for the entire world to read. Never in my life have I been a “DNF”. Even on my worst days, I always got my ass to the finish line. It was a pride thing I guess, not wanting to whimp out just cos things didn’t go my way. So having to suck it up right now was frustrating. As soon as I saw it I wanted to hunt down the announcer, pull the microphone out of his hand and inform the crowd that I was not as the scoreboard implied “A failure” but a “Pace-Maker”, “its my job to step off, so why am I being treated like this?” However, I have a feeling that that outburst may have lead to a result looking more like “Karen Shinkins DNF/PSYCHO” which would not really have helped me save any kind of face. Therefore, in my humble opinion, the only real solution is to add the abbreviation “PM” (Pace-Maker) to each track meets box of verbal trickery. It’s so much less judgmental and helps avoid any feelings of hurt or wounded pride experienced by some of us more sensitive and egotistical pace-makers. Just a thought.
One thing that did kinda bothered me from the race was the presence of those big, ugly, judgemental letters “DNF” that went up next to my name when they posted the results on the stadium scoreboard and online and in other various print media. “DNF” for those of you who may not know stands for “Did Not Finish”. It’s nothing positive. In fact, it usually means that an athlete has 1. Pulled up due to some instantaneous injury, 2. Was having such a nightmare performance that they stepped off the track or 3. Was unfortunate enough to get caught up in some sort of track scrap and as a result ended up biting it hard somewhere near the water jump. Bottom line, its never good news and so I was horrified to see it up there, in lights for the entire world to read. Never in my life have I been a “DNF”. Even on my worst days, I always got my ass to the finish line. It was a pride thing I guess, not wanting to whimp out just cos things didn’t go my way. So having to suck it up right now was frustrating. As soon as I saw it I wanted to hunt down the announcer, pull the microphone out of his hand and inform the crowd that I was not as the scoreboard implied “A failure” but a “Pace-Maker”, “its my job to step off, so why am I being treated like this?” However, I have a feeling that that outburst may have lead to a result looking more like “Karen Shinkins DNF/PSYCHO” which would not really have helped me save any kind of face. Therefore, in my humble opinion, the only real solution is to add the abbreviation “PM” (Pace-Maker) to each track meets box of verbal trickery. It’s so much less judgmental and helps avoid any feelings of hurt or wounded pride experienced by some of us more sensitive and egotistical pace-makers. Just a thought.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Baltic Boston
This past weekend saw us wing our way up to Boston to spend some time with Husband’s side of the family. And let me just say, Boston in January, COLD, cold, oh so very cold. I felt it as soon as we deplaned and it took everything in my power to not turn on my semi-wedged heel and demand the pilot return me back to my rightful place, that is the warmer, drier climate of Georgia. Now I know most of you are probably screaming at me “but your Irish, isn’t it cold in Ireland too?” Yeah, it gets cold, but never Baltic cold. Rarely does the temperature go below zero. Rain, yes, we got that covered, many times over, but snow, ice, and temperatures of minus freezing, no sorry, not covered.
I did however do my best to get acclimatize and not allow the minor issues of snow and ice to hold me back. I even went out and trained in the stuff. It was a frightening experience, but it had to be done.
On warmer side of things, we did get to spend most of the weekend with our wee nephew, Paul. This little fella is cute as a button and growing so fast. Words are coming and walking is just a couple of weeks away and everything, I mean everything, gets his own personal taste test. Nothing is safe from his grip or his mouth. You need eyes in the back of your head to stay one step ahead of this guy.
Husband and I try the parent look on for size. Clearly he is taking it way more serious than I am.
He even makes a grab for one.
Shinks braves the elements all in the name of health and fitness.
Paul supervises Husband as he child proofs the cupboards.
And later practises his walking skills.
I did however do my best to get acclimatize and not allow the minor issues of snow and ice to hold me back. I even went out and trained in the stuff. It was a frightening experience, but it had to be done.
On warmer side of things, we did get to spend most of the weekend with our wee nephew, Paul. This little fella is cute as a button and growing so fast. Words are coming and walking is just a couple of weeks away and everything, I mean everything, gets his own personal taste test. Nothing is safe from his grip or his mouth. You need eyes in the back of your head to stay one step ahead of this guy.
An cos blogs are better with photos, here are a few from the weekend.
Husband and I try the parent look on for size. Clearly he is taking it way more serious than I am.Paul is bundled up as we wait in line at the Boston Aquarium.
Totally absorbed in the fishes.
He even makes a grab for one.Shinks braves the elements all in the name of health and fitness. Paul supervises Husband as he child proofs the cupboards.And later practises his walking skills.
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Wild Night......Not
Its just approaching 7.30am on New Years Day and yours truly is up. Wide awake and alert. Well, wide awake at least. “Why you up so early Shinks, on this a global holiday? Perhaps you just got your disheveled, one shoe on, one shoe off, mascara running down the face self in from some jam packed bar, club or house party?”
Well, as a matter of fact you would be wrong on all accounts. This year there was some very unShinks like behavior going on. Shinks, did NOT go out. As a matter of fact, Shinks did not even stay awake long enough to see in the New Year. “What the hell is wrong with you Shinks? That just sounds so unlike you? Are you sick or something?” Yes, yes I am. Luckily I’m functional sick, not the type that has me bedridden or anything but just feeling miserable.
Yesterday evening, not long after placing several bottles of wine in the fridge to chill, I started to get a pounding headache. Initially I thought it was my body getting a head start on the hangover it was anticipating at the sight or all the wine. But several glasses of water, a hot tea, millions of pills and a lay down later, I was feeling no better. In fact, I was feeling worse. How could this happen? Why was my body trying to intercept my New Years fun? Who knows. But eventually I stopped trying to fight it and just went to bed and slept through the dawning of a new year. Booooooooooooo.
On top of all that, I finally get the opportunity to sleep in cos I’m not working today, but somehow I find myself wide-awake at the standard get up time of “crack-of-dawn o’clock”. So frustrating. But a least my headache has subsided a good bit and I’m now just left with a few low impact tremors. And since I was awake anyway, I decided to get up and be a little productive by way of cleaning the kitchen. That lasted about 10 minutes, so I decided to get online and see if any of my European friends were knocking around Skype. But alas, no. They are all probably nursing hangovers from the previous evenings festivities, Silja, I don’t know what your excuse is, maybe your helping Vignir nurse his hangover, but know that I have been waiting and waiting for you to show your pregnant self online so we can chat.
Anyway, in the absence of any Skype action, I got this opportunity to put my little rant on the blog. Hope everyone had a great New Years and don’t worry, I will get my chance to celebrate 2009, it will just be a little later then the rest of the world.
Well, as a matter of fact you would be wrong on all accounts. This year there was some very unShinks like behavior going on. Shinks, did NOT go out. As a matter of fact, Shinks did not even stay awake long enough to see in the New Year. “What the hell is wrong with you Shinks? That just sounds so unlike you? Are you sick or something?” Yes, yes I am. Luckily I’m functional sick, not the type that has me bedridden or anything but just feeling miserable.
Yesterday evening, not long after placing several bottles of wine in the fridge to chill, I started to get a pounding headache. Initially I thought it was my body getting a head start on the hangover it was anticipating at the sight or all the wine. But several glasses of water, a hot tea, millions of pills and a lay down later, I was feeling no better. In fact, I was feeling worse. How could this happen? Why was my body trying to intercept my New Years fun? Who knows. But eventually I stopped trying to fight it and just went to bed and slept through the dawning of a new year. Booooooooooooo.
On top of all that, I finally get the opportunity to sleep in cos I’m not working today, but somehow I find myself wide-awake at the standard get up time of “crack-of-dawn o’clock”. So frustrating. But a least my headache has subsided a good bit and I’m now just left with a few low impact tremors. And since I was awake anyway, I decided to get up and be a little productive by way of cleaning the kitchen. That lasted about 10 minutes, so I decided to get online and see if any of my European friends were knocking around Skype. But alas, no. They are all probably nursing hangovers from the previous evenings festivities, Silja, I don’t know what your excuse is, maybe your helping Vignir nurse his hangover, but know that I have been waiting and waiting for you to show your pregnant self online so we can chat.
Anyway, in the absence of any Skype action, I got this opportunity to put my little rant on the blog. Hope everyone had a great New Years and don’t worry, I will get my chance to celebrate 2009, it will just be a little later then the rest of the world.
Happy New Year
It's New Years Eve and I just got off work extra early, score, and I don't have to show my face for the rest of the week, major score. As of right now I have no big plans, but I have a sneaky feeling that if I follow the many champagne rivers that will be floating around the city tonight, all will lead to some pretty serious New Years celebrations.
So HAPPY NEW YEAR everyone. Have a fun, festive and safe night. 
So HAPPY NEW YEAR everyone. Have a fun, festive and safe night.
On The Road Again
It’s now time to pack up, leave the Emerald Isle and go back to our base in Atlanta. I say base cos we’ll only be there for 3 days, enough time to unpack, re-pack, show a face at work for a few days, then hit the road one more time to visit Husband’s family in Boston.
Although our visit to Ireland was brief, we did our best to pack in plenty. I kicked off Christmas morning with a 1 mile run for charity. Then it was back to the house for the big gift exchange. Afterwards my plan was to help mam get started with the dinner, but the jet lag was kicking my ass so bad that if I sat for more than a second, I was off to sleep. I was worse than a 70-year-old bird. Hang on, that may be an insult to 70 year old birds everywhere, cos I’m sure they had more energy and spunk then I was displaying most of Christmas Day.
Although our visit to Ireland was brief, we did our best to pack in plenty. I kicked off Christmas morning with a 1 mile run for charity. Then it was back to the house for the big gift exchange. Afterwards my plan was to help mam get started with the dinner, but the jet lag was kicking my ass so bad that if I sat for more than a second, I was off to sleep. I was worse than a 70-year-old bird. Hang on, that may be an insult to 70 year old birds everywhere, cos I’m sure they had more energy and spunk then I was displaying most of Christmas Day.
Here I am ready for some serious charity running.
The following day it was down to my brother’s house for dinner, wine, chocolate and a “friendly” game of Wii golf. Then today we did a BIG spot of shopping, met friends for a long lunch and even managed to squeeze in a training session. Need to get a head start on forcing the large amounts of potatoes, stuffing, apple pie, whipped cream and chocolates lodged in ass, hips and thighs..........off. Luckily New Years is just around the corner, so my body will just automatically morph back to its pre-Christmas bingey self, without any effort what so ever on my part. If only.
Merry Christmas Y'all
We made it to Ireland. I survived the last minute shopping, so now its time to kick back and enjoy these brief days with the family, eating, eating, eating some more and showering each other with the fruits of our laborious shopping trips.
So have a very Merry Christmas everyone. I’ll work hard at getting my blogging frequency back on track soon enough.
So have a very Merry Christmas everyone. I’ll work hard at getting my blogging frequency back on track soon enough.
A Little Dramatic? Maybe
Christmas is fast approaching and I'm definitely feeling the pressure. As per usual, I have left everything until the last second and I mean everything, including where Husband and I were going to spend this festive season.
We try to keep it balanced and alternate between both our families each year. This year it was Irelands turn, however some major things had the potential of happening that in the name of playing fair, we decided to do Christmas in Boston. But the major things did not end up panning out, not yet anyway, so we’re adhering to the rules established and making Ireland our holiday destination.
And due to the fact that I cannot stand the malls, cos I can’t stand crowds, especially this time of year, I have avoided doing any Christmas shopping. But as usual my back is against the wall and I’m seriously running out of time. So now I must face the dreaded mall with it’s full to capacity parking and it’s under pressure, agitated and aggressive last minute shoppers, just like myself. I’m absolutely dreading it. Honestly, you have no idea what a nightmare this will be and cos my heart rate is through the roof and my mind is racing in anticipation of the inevitable, I can’t even put together a thoughtful blog on the issue.
But it must be done cos I don’t think my nearest and dearest will appreciate, although animated and dramatic, my long list of reasons as to why they have received the gift of nothingness for Christmas. I could always argue that just my being there is gift enough, but am sure nobody will buy it.
We try to keep it balanced and alternate between both our families each year. This year it was Irelands turn, however some major things had the potential of happening that in the name of playing fair, we decided to do Christmas in Boston. But the major things did not end up panning out, not yet anyway, so we’re adhering to the rules established and making Ireland our holiday destination.
And due to the fact that I cannot stand the malls, cos I can’t stand crowds, especially this time of year, I have avoided doing any Christmas shopping. But as usual my back is against the wall and I’m seriously running out of time. So now I must face the dreaded mall with it’s full to capacity parking and it’s under pressure, agitated and aggressive last minute shoppers, just like myself. I’m absolutely dreading it. Honestly, you have no idea what a nightmare this will be and cos my heart rate is through the roof and my mind is racing in anticipation of the inevitable, I can’t even put together a thoughtful blog on the issue.
But it must be done cos I don’t think my nearest and dearest will appreciate, although animated and dramatic, my long list of reasons as to why they have received the gift of nothingness for Christmas. I could always argue that just my being there is gift enough, but am sure nobody will buy it.
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