Team Caliente Pantalones

Stormy Sunday at Lake Anna TRI

2008-05-17T13:13:00.008-05:00

Check out the HOT ladies of TCP before and after the Lake Anna TRI...

The Ocho's electronic Buzz Kill

2008-04-18T13:08:00.002-05:00

Ladies! The Lake Anna TRI is just 42 hours away! HP01, HP08, & HP09 are ready to rock Lake Anna, despite the chilly weather. The Ocho was kind enough to notify us of the water temp in the lake...."today it's up to a balmy 59 degrees." BURRRRRRRRRRRRR! That's colder than Sherando in 2005!

GO TEAM HOT PANTS!

The Great Flying El Gato Ocho!!!

2008-02-25T17:41:00.003-05:00

Seriously, this cat is purring like crazy while Senor Ocho is doing this. Obviously HP08 hasn't been training which is why she's posting pictures of her cat.

El Gato Ocho

2008-02-21T11:13:00.004-05:00

HP08 would like everyone to meet Rufus "El Gato" Tallent, otherwise known from here on, on this blog, as El Gato Ocho. He is completely crazy, but the Ochos love him! As you'll see, he like to sleep as close to your face as possible and prefers to travel by being carried around as opposed to actually having to do the walking himself. He is well behaved other than jumping on the kitchen table on Tuesday night and sticking his entire little white paw in to the Ocho's pasta bowl. Luckily she caught him before he ran red sauce all over the white carpet. So, enjoy the pics!

El Gato Ocho playing with his favorite toy.

Playing with in the Ocho's bags

Senor Ocho transporting El Gato Ocho

Big yawn from El Gato while he sleeps on the Ocho's neck.

The Member of the Ocho family

2008-02-15T11:31:00.001-05:00

The Ochos are going to get a new member of their family tomorrow! No, the Ocho is not pregnant, but Senor Ocho and HP08 are going to adopt themselves a kitten tomorrow. Photos to follow, but the Ocho wanted the share the news!!!

Silent Siete Speaks

2008-02-04T15:27:00.000-05:00

HOLAAAAHHHH! Indeed the '08 season has begun and the Siete has not only completed an event but has also resloved to blog with a little more fequency. Siete left mini-hotpants with Pico so she could go rock the Superbowl 5K at Wash Park. Though my training was not optimal, the temperature was ass-cold, and a unusual sideache that gave labor pain flashbacks emerged, Siete placed in the top 15 females and won a gift certificate (which could buy 1/4th a sportsbra at Runner's Roost). In true HP fashion, brunch with bottomless mimosas followed. Viva los hotpants!!!

Boo Yeah.

2008-01-24T10:11:00.000-05:00

Heeeyyy HPs! Since I am the last of the original tri team to kick off the new year, I figured I should get something up so others will begin posting it up. I have very little to write in terms of training or even social antics, but I do have the cover from this week's TIME -- it's so fantastic that I feel it works. No jinxies.

First Blog, 2008!!

2008-01-07T22:03:00.000-05:00

Happy new year, ladies!! HP02 thought she would pen the innagural blog entry for the new year, because she is rearing to get back on the wagon! January is bringing a whole new lease on life; 3 weeks of vacation in December and the ending of a dead end job (military industrial complex-employed no more!) means that HP02 is upwardly mobile, relaxed and refreshed, and ready to ROCK!
After Ocho’s LOVELY wedding in Tucson, HP02 drove down to Mexico with the only people she could recruit crazy enough to be spontaneous around the holidays: her parents. Some highlights from Mexico:

Hiking and rock climbing up a desert mountain with the craziest dude I know – my Pop. We found skulls, snakes skin, and a lion’s den. Yikes!

Every morning it was yoga on the roof and then breakfast under the palapa with a glass of fresh squeezed orange juice (just off the tree).

Jet skiing, sea kayaking, beach-combing, 4 wheeling in the desert, I'm telling you girls it is the perfect venue for an international HotPants cross training expidition!

As for training in 2008, HP02 is ready to hit the yoga circuit, and the pool. It is all about scheduled activites for this girl. Weekend bikerides and runs are a necessity, and as for events this year, if HP02 cant participate in the Bermuda Olympic tri going down in November, Cape Cod with suffice as an alternative. Thats right, destination triathlon! Yihaw!

Well ladies, its been a LONG TIME.

2007-11-03T23:30:00.000-05:00

Girls.

Where does one start after one has taken a 2 month hiatus? Well lets start by giving a loud shout out to the ones who have been true to the basic requirements of HotPants-ness: the bloggers of the group. And by that I mean primarily the Ocho but also the Uno, both two busy, accomplished women who manage to find the time to honor their HotPants commitments. Truly inspirational, these ladies.

So in the spirit of inspirational blogging, HP02 offers her humble update. So its been 2 months and then some since HP02's last event, but she has managed to maintain an off season training schedule, despite the lack of tangible, near term fitness goals. Tuesday yoga with HP 08 and 09, Thursday tennis with HotPantsBusinessPartner, and weekend bike rides/hikes/shenanigans with the Uno and other various sordid characters. That and 1 or 2 visits a week to the pool for what I have discovered to be that other form of 'liquid confidence', swimming. Who would of thought it, but as fate would have it, HP02 loves that which she has feared and detested all her life- a public, chlorinated pool. Ew.

So in other news, I present to you Halloween. The costumes were impressive and the company top notch. Thanks and much love to SterlingHotPants, whose creativity and Halloween comittment produced this lovely "asian" duo. I love any holiday that entails a good spectacle...

The Home of the Knights.

2007-10-24T21:25:00.000-05:00

This weekend the Ochos will head to the Great White North to visit HP08's alma mater, Carleton College. To be honest, HP08 is really looking foward to getting out of town. She feels like she needs some grounding, like she's lost her foundation a bit, and where better to find it than Minnesota, the Mother Earth of the US. She's not looking to return to her glory days, but just remind herself a bit of life outside the Belt Way. HP08 also plans on introducing Senor Ocho to her favorite College professor and stop by Hogan Brothers for some Peppermint Bon Bon Ice Cream (known to the outside world as Mint Chocolate Chip.) Unfortunately, Defeat of Jessie James Days are over for the year, but we'll still visit the museum down town. HP08 will bring back plenty of documentation of their adventures, but in the meantime, enjoy some views of the Ocho's old stomping grounds.

The Verdict is In

2007-10-23T10:00:00.000-05:00

The Ocho talked to physical therapist today who had just spoken with her doctor and the verdict is in....HP08 and a torn abductor. The MRI results stated, "There is a high signal inferior to the left iliac crest, commensurate with abductor muscle tearing at the attachment of the gluteus medius muscle." The following chart shows the "gluteus medius muscle" in relation to the rest of the hip. I think the chart shows a right hip, so the muscle would be on the inside.

Fig. 1. —Illustration shows normal abductor muscles and tendons in coronal section as seen through hip at level of mid greater trochanter. a = gluteus minimus muscle, b = gluteus medius muscle, c = subgluteus minimus bursa, d = subgluteus medius bursa, e = subgluteus maximus bursa, f = zona orbicularis of hip joint capsule, g = superior neck recess of hip joint, h = inferior neck recess of hip joint, i = vastus lateralis muscle, k = iliotibial band.

So, all in all, this is a good new-bad news situation. The good news is that it isn't a tumor (which they didn't tell me was a possibility really until the ruled it out) and that I won't need surgery. The bad news is that they really can't do anything for me. I have to stop all activity that irritates the muscle, mainly running, and then slowly introduce it back in to my general routine. For now, I can continue swimming and riding my bike, but if that bothers it too, I'll have to figure something else out. (It's pretty much just hurting all the time now, so I know the running sets it off, but I can't distinguish between what other activities inflame the problem.) They've stopped my physical therapy too, because that apparently isn't really helping. I'm supposed to check back in with my physical therapist in a month. They said this thing could take months to heal. So, I'm happy that it wasn't anything more serious, but I'm a little bummed that there isn't something that can be done to directly deal with the problem other than "rest."
So, that's the deal. At least I finally know what's going on.

You better work... Work it girl, do a twirl! Do your thing on the run way...Work!

2007-10-22T15:05:00.000-05:00

(yes, in case anyone is keeping track, this is HP08's second RuPaul reference of the year.)

So, even though HP03 will probably kill her, the Ocho has decided to post a photo of her modeling the bridesmaids dress for HP08's wedding. On Saturday HP03 and HP08 met up to figure out the best length for the dress, so you'll see the HP03 has is hiked up a bit. Trust them, the actual length was dowdy and TERRIBLE. It's not totally clear, but you get the idea...

Welcome to the Ocho's blog...

2007-10-19T12:48:00.000-05:00

Well, it appears that HP08 is the only one posting anymore. Since that's the case, the Ocho will use this opportunity to air her dirty laundry and give an Ocho's life update. So, here you all go...

After much drama and work, the wedding invitations have been mailed!!! Whoo Hoo! HP08 won’t bore you all with the details, but the wild invitation ride involved $300 in postage and a massive/crazy person crying breakdown in the middle of a DC post office. Either way, they’re on their way now. My parents got theirs in two days, but a bunch of VA/DC people haven't gotten theirs yet even though they went out on Monday. Go figure. If they get lost in the mail, the Ocho is quitting her wedding.

In other wedding news, HP08 had her first dress fitting a couple of weeks ago and it went pretty well. It fit like a glove, though somehow she still managed to spend $150 on alternations. Ugh. Oh well. That’s ok, though, because HP08 will be using Sister Ocho's veil and she bought her hair decorations on ebay (thanks for the suggestion HP04), so that is some money saved. :) On November 5^th, HP03 will be heading back to the seamstress with HP08 so that they can “learn how to bustle.” We’ll see how that goes… Ok, ENOUGH WEDDING TALK!!!
HP08 has one piece of sad new. She had mentioned to a few people that she was looking at possibly taking a new job that would have been PERFECT for her. Unfortunately, even though the person that recommended her assumed it was a done deal, it didn't pan out. The Ocho was pretty upset when she found out (cried her eyes out for the second time in less than a week) and she's still pretty bummed, but these things happen and there are worse places to be than where she is now.

So, the Ocho has been a little distracted for the last couple of weeks and has been deliquent in her exercising duties. HP08 is trying to get her act together and pull herself out of wedding planning hell. She’ll be home for her first weekend in a month this week, so she's going to try to get her head on straight.
That's the update for Ocho's world. She hopes everyone is doing well!

-Ocho Out.

For a laugh...

2007-10-16T11:40:00.000-05:00

Visit Niece Ocho's website and watch the video on top...

A post.

2007-10-09T15:31:00.000-05:00

Ok, so the Ocho doesn't really have anything to post, but she's painfully bored and feels that the has been blog woefully quiet lately. So, here you go, some photos of recent happenings in my life:

Cake HP08 made for Aaron's birthday

The Ocho livin' it up in Chicago for at her first Bachelorette Party

HP08 with Sister Ocho and Mama Ocho at her Tucson Bridal Shower

Baby Niece Ocho in her favoritist new chair

Photo of the Day

2007-09-26T08:47:00.000-05:00

A Pic of the HPs looking HOTTTT at the crack of dawn. HP08 took the photo so she didn't have to be in it. :) HP01, you should be proud of everything you accomplished.

HotPants Outing worth mentioning

2007-08-30T22:28:00.001-05:00

Well HP02 has pretty much dropped the ball this summer in terms on timely blogging, but doesnt want great times to go un-noticed. Kudos to HP09 for assembling some people at the last minute to go see the final Screen On The Green of the summer; an EPIC showing of perhaps one of the best movies of all time, Casablanca. In addition to training together for the Iron Girl, HP02, 08 and 09 spent some quality time on the National Mall sipping spritzers and enjoying a classic. So HP09, sorry for the overused line, but 'heres looking at you, kid.'

Iron Girl report, WAY after the fact

2007-08-30T07:27:00.000-05:00

HP02 humbly apologizes for not blogging sooner about the AMAZING experience that was her first full triathlon. What great fun!! HP02 was nervous in anticipation for this event for weeks prior, having to run to the bathroom every time she started talking about her endeavor in any detail, but was miraculously able to pull it together on game day and successfully keep her nerves in check. This is huge personal progress for this HP, as in the past nerves have been a major obstacle to accomplishment.

Secondly, I SWAM .62 MILES IN AN URBAN LAKE!! EW! I still cant believe I did it- in fact, on the first half of the swim I got so focused on my rhythm that I overshot the first buoy. Yes, this time I was 'that swimmer' who pulled away from the pack in the complete wrong direction. Dang it! I corrected myself, however, and went on to finish the swim in 37 minutes, a feat I never thought I'd be able to pull off in my first full triathlon. Yihaw!

As I entered T1 I noticed that my neighbor on the bike rack had taken the liberty of moving my stuff, which was irritating, but became infuriating when I got on my bike and realized that the bitch had knocked the chain completely off the bike, wedging it between the frame and the gear shifter thing. It took at least 5 minutes to get it put back on- race staff even had to come over and help me! I guess I should thank her in the end, though, because my fury towards her was applied to the bike course- wait, is it unsportsman of me to have been saying 'fucking bitch' under my breath the whole way?

Anyway, by the time the run came around I had to PEE. But I continued on, and had to walk a few times due to stomach cramping. And this is the part where I realized quite acutely that I hadn't eaten enough for breakfast. That banana and Odwalla bar at 5 in the morning was NOT ENOUGH, because on the run I became so hungry!! I was going to take those Cliff Shots when I was biking, but they fell off the bike within the first 5 minutes.

So ladies, in short it was epic. HP08 and 09 were great fun to do this with, and HP01 ROCKS for coming up and cheering us on so early in the morning, and coming thru with the champagne toast at the end. But the prize goes to HotPantsColoradoParents, for coming out for the event from Colorado to cheer their firstborn on. They are champion fans!!

WE ARE IRON GIRL!!! HERE US ROAR!!!

2007-08-20T20:32:00.000-05:00

Well the Ocho is proud to announce that HP02, HP08, and HP09 successfully completed the Columbia Iron Girl this weekend. Like there was ever any doubt!!! HP08 will let HP02 and HP09 tell there own version of events and post there own comments and/or pictures, but as for the Ocho, she felt pretty good about the whole experience.

The morning started early with a 4:15am wake up call for HP08 who then got to rouse HP02 from her slumbering spot on the Ocho's couch 10 minutes before her 4:30am alarm. Opps! Sorry HP02. HP09 picked the ladies up at 4:45am and the HP trio reached the race site before sunrise. Believe it or not, the HPs were beaten there by hundreds of other anxious women and the transition area was already packed and chaotic by the time they arrived. HP09 overheard one supportive spouse/father comment to his 2 year old sone, "There sure a lot of ladies here, buddy." That pretty much summed up the scene.

As for the actual race, the swim was a little rough for the Ocho. HP08 definitely felt the extra 350 meters, but all in all she improved her swim speed and managed not to puke up nasty-ass murky lake water on her jog back to the transition area. HP08 also finally bonded with her bike during the 17.5 mile hilly trek and got herself up to 35 miles an hour flying down one of the last hills. Surprisingly, she did this without slamming on her brakes or screaming bloody murder. The Ocho and her wheels did have one close call with a car that blew through a cop's "stop" sign, but she lived to ride another day. Finally, one the run, the Ocho got her time back down to 9 minute miles for the 3.4 miles which was her personal goal. So, all in all, it was a rewarding and overall excellent experience for HP08. She would highly recommend all of the HPs participate next year.

The Ocho would like to thank HP02 and HP09 for being amazing training buddies and HP01 gets a special shout-out for the above-and-beyond action of showing up at literally the crack of dawn to cheer the HPs on. HP01, you rock!!!

So, here are some photos of the Ocho's experience provided by HP01 and a little look at the end of HP08's journey courtesy of YouTube and HP01.

HP02 and HP08 waiting for their waves to start after HP09 had already hit the water.

The Ocho getting stretched out and ready to go for her swim wave.

HP08's wave in the water waiting for their big start.

The Ocho out of the water and heading for the transition area.

And finally, The Ocho’s finish…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0mybGfW6A9c

Dream a little dream...

2007-08-16T10:27:00.000-05:00

As some of you may or may not know, the Ocho has spent the last two days at home sick, which is a particular bummer considering she has Iron Girl this weekend and hasn't able to train to the best of her abilities because of all of the phlegm. Mmmm...phlegm... So, the combination of stress about this weekend, the lack of training and the isolation (Senor Ocho is out of town) has resulted in a series of whacky Iron Girl-inspired dreams. Mostly, her dreams center around some variety of ill preparedness. In one dream, HP01, HP03, HP08 and HP09 arrive at the race site in plenty of time for the race, but start watching a movie and miss HP09's wave start. In another, the HPs have to wrestle other desperate women of good transitions spots (they aren't assigned in the dream, it's just a free-for-all) and HP03 kicks some major triathlete butt with masking-tape and a sharpie tagging and labeling transition space like a mad woman. So, while she hasn't actually had any dreams about falling off of her bike, drowning or breaking a leg, the Ocho is clearly tense about this weekend's big event. Keep your fingers crossed and remember, no movie watching at the race site.

-Ocho Out

Becky Boots a Squirrel: A Tragedy in One Act

2007-08-10T09:00:00.000-05:00

By The Ocho

Act 1, Scene 1

(The audience sees a young, incredibly gorgeous and fit couple jogging toward the DC Armory on a early, balmy summer morning. As the couple approaches a jersey wall** , the male jogger runs through a gap, scaring a squirrel into running directly across the front of the wall and across a second gap just in time for the female jogger to catch the squirrel square in the body with her right foot, clipping the tale with her left foot, sending the squirrel flying.)

Female jogger: (Jumping up and down, flapping hands in the air, screeching) OH MY GOD! OH MY GOD! OH MY GOD! DID YOU SEE THAT!?! OH MY GOD!

Male jogger: (Stopping calmly) Was that a rat?

Female jogger: (Still squealing and jumping from foot to foot, fluttering hands) NO! IT WAS A NASTY ASS SQUIRREL! I DIDN'T JUST KICK HIM! I CAUGHT HIM FULL ON, FULL FORCE UNDER HIS BELLY! THAT IS SO GROSS!!!

Male jogger: (looking back in the direction where the offending squirrel has skittered off) Well don't worry, I think he's ok.

Female jogger: (Still prancing hysterically) THINK HE'S OK!?! I DON'T CARE IF THE NASTY ASS SQUIRREL IS OK!!! I PROBABLY HAVE SOME KIND OF SQUIRREL-FOOT DISEASE!!! WHO CARES ABOUT THE DAMN SQUIRREL!?! I'M GOING TO DIE OF MAD SQUIRREL OR RABIES!!! OH MY GOD!!! (More bouncing, flapping and squealing.)

Male jogger: OK, you have to stop that. You look like a girl. Let's go.

(The female jogger regains her composure and the couple starts to jog again.)

Female jogger: Man, I can't believe I just booted a squirrel...

SCENE

(** set note: the jersey walls should be arranges to allow for two narrow, but separate, gaps only wide enough for one person to fit through with a larger jersey wall between the two gaps.)

A week and a half to go!!

2007-08-07T21:46:00.000-05:00

Well, ladies, the Iron Girl Tri is fast upon us, and HP02 has been diligently training, despite the theft of her beloved commuter bike. Saturday it was a bike/run brick with HP09 and 08 at the Arboratum (12.5 and 1.5), Sunday it was a half mile swim and 2 mile run, Monday nearly a mile swim, today a 3 and a half mile run. This HP is clearly focusing on her weak spots. Progress is being made, but regardless since this is HP02's first attempt at an open water swim, she is still convinced she will die in the middle of a lake, tangled up in seaweed and singing "cowboy take me away".

Speaking of...

The cowboy kareoke on Friday night was spectacular- heartfelt performances given by all, especially these talented desperados:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jXb6MH2CK4g

Nature vs. nurture.

2007-08-07T15:30:00.000-05:00

Is exaggerated photo staging inherited? Mom pleaded for a normal photo and 03 and Daddy-o-03 kept mixing it up on her ;-)

Speaking of wacky photos... cowboy karaoke posts please.

Weekend Training Hiatus

2007-07-30T22:24:00.000-05:00

This weekend was a training disaster of epic proportions, but epic nevertheless...it was the bachelorette party of all parties, in Cheyenne Wyoming. HotPantsCowgirlAKB is getting married this fall, (in the pink shirt), so the sisters (HP02, 07 and UpAndComingHotPants) naturally rose to the occasion. Well girls, in short, we took HotPantsCowgirlAKB to the biggest rodeo event of the year and showed her a kick assing good time!!

Who could ask for a better weekend: great girlfriends, a cool concert, boys, livestock, and larger-than-life cowboys ropin' and ridin' (in the pouring rain, and subsequent mud)...well, that was HOT, and like I said, it was epic!

The thing is, HP07 hasnt had more than a couple of beers in over a year and a half (the HPSteamboat trip was right before the emergence of BabyHotPants, see below), and while BHP is a pretty legitimate excuse for witholding from drunken rowdiness, the fact remains that HP07 has been a remiss blogger for, well 100 years. Which is why she is getting outed to the HotPants community- while the grandmothers watched the little one, it was a top notch innaugural weekend for our beloved HP07:

OK so regardless of the drunken disregard for her reputation this weekend, HP07 obviously has all kinds of athletic mojo (as clearly displayed above with the F-ING GUNS). Truth be told she has signed up for a 10 mile run in September, and as we all do at one time or another, she is suffering from a lack of pre-race discipline. And if she isnt ashamed for not having blogged in 8 months, well she should be. But really all she needs is some encouragement to get back on the wagon. Which is where the HotPants come in...

But honestly, its kind of hard to care about anything else when you have this little piece of heaven to have to brighten your day (and commandeer your free time):

Funny of the day...

2007-07-27T09:30:00.001-05:00

Upping through the Dating**

2007-07-26T16:57:00.001-05:00

**Please note that nothing in this Blog post will actually relate to any person, place or thing going on a date and that the title is merely a play on the commonly known word "Updating."

So here we are, a little over a week since the Ocho decided to get her life back in order and all of the HPs may be wondering how it's going. Well here is a little update because surely, enquiringly minds want to know.
Laundry...While HP08 was knee deep in clean underpants for about a week, this little task has fallen a bit by the way-side and needs some further addressing. The Ocho vows to tackle this mess that keeps on giving this weekend.

The work out...
HP08 hit it pretty hard last week and was able to work out 6 out of 7 days. She hasn't been as good this week because she hasn't been feeling very well, but all in all, she's in a much better place emotionally about her training. Unfortunately, HP08 lost one of her awesomely cool bike gloves this weekend (God rest it's soul somewhere in the Arb), but she's already received a new pair from Land End and they're even more awesomely cool.
Also, the Ocho forgot the break the news to the OT HPs, but HP08 has decided to say goodbye to the YMCA and embrace her true urban self by taking up her swim training in the Eastern Market Pool. There are a few differences between the YMCA pool and the Eastern Market pool and they are outlined below.

YMCA pool -
Heated Water
Fresh, clean towels
Locker room with Sauna

Eastern Market Pool -
Freezing cold water
Bring your own towels
To clean the locker room they spray it down with bleach

Things you will see at the Eastern Market Pool that you probably won't see at the YMCA -
An 18 year old girl being thrown at your feet by her...somebody...because she won't go and get their child out of the pool while the somebody is carrying their newborn in his non-assault hand.

Things both pools have in common -
HP training buddies (HP09 calls the Eastern Market pool home)
lap lanes and water
Snotty desk attendants.

Biggest and most important difference?
$45 A MONTH!!!

So there it is. The Ocho has enjoyed her first few swims at her new pool and has gained a little in the streets smart department.

Diet...

So far, HP08 is 1.8 pounds lighter than she was at the beginning of last week. This leaves her only 1 pound to lose until she's back on track with where she left off a few weeks ago. Most importantly for the anal retentive Ocho, though...she feels like her eating is under control and we all know how HP08 likes to be in control.

So there it is. 10 days in and going strong!

-Ocho Out.

Me Too, Me Too!!!

2007-07-25T20:55:00.000-05:00

Well, ladies, it has been a very long time since HP02 has ventured into the blogosphere, mainly because her shameful lack of consistent training. But as the HotPants report on their progress, HP02 feels the drive to train building as she reads about the diligence of others. Per usual, you girls kick ass!

So it is 24 days until the Iron Girl, in which many of the HPs are participating, but for HP02, the Iron Girl 2007 is going to be solo tri #1. The SheRox tri in Philly sounded ever so tempting, but truth be told the expenditure was ill timed. Anyway, this summer the Molotov Cocktail tempted fate one too many times, and finally broke down for good, leaving HP02 with nothing but pedals for transportation. This has been a good primer for training, but honestly a daily 4 mile bike ride and an occasional 3 mile run at lunch cant really be counted as ‘daily training’.

So its back on the wagon for HP02. Sunday it was a 10 mile bike ride to Alexandria and a trip to the pool with HPM.C. (sorry MC, I cant remember your #!). Then Monday it was a 20 mile bike ride with hot shot colleagues HotPantsRickyAndNicky to Bethesda on our lunch break. Those guys whooped my ass!! Tuesday was a rest day, then tonight it was a 20 mile RT ride to Alexandria for A LOT of laps in the pool. I started loosing count towards the end, but I think I went down and back around 16 times- I think that's 400 meters? Actually it felt good to begin to get a rhythm. But can I just say that sharing a lane blows? I always get stuck next to the ‘swim team chick’ who passes me twice per every lap I do, and for some reason I don’t want to piss her off, so I always hit the divider because I am scooched over so far. Oh, and tonight I learned the hard way why we wear swim caps when we go swimming- I forgot mine in my locker but didn’t want to lose my place in the pool, and had hair interference the entire time. UG.

Well this weekend it is off to CO for the sister’s bachelorette party. Before the boozing begins, though, I hope to get a run in with HP07, the embarrassingly remiss blogger. HP02's new strategy is to attempt to shame her little sister into occasionally updating the HPs on her progress. She just signed up for a 10 mile run in September, but I will let her tell you that.

Gettin' My Sh*t together

2007-07-16T09:32:00.000-05:00

Today is the first day of the rest of your life...or so the saying goes. For the Ocho, today is the first day of getting her life back in order and her proverbial sh*t together. How does HP08 plan to do this? It all starts with the laundry...
Step one on the road to recovery and the way out of a slump is to clean your dirty laundry. No, not air your dirty laundry, physically clean it. HP08 started yesterday and as of this morning she had her last lode in the drier. When you can wear anything you want and don't have to search through the bottom of your drawers for things that haven't seen the light of day in 18 months in order to meet the professional dress code, the day just starts off better. (You can also wear the comfortable underwear, which we all know has a direct effect on one's mood.)

The second step is to get your butt back in gear...

HP08 went for her first run in about 3 weeks this morning. She expected it to be pretty rough, but it actually felt kind of good. It was hot a muggy out, of course, but her body was pretty happy to be moving again and she and Senor Ocho pounded out 3 solid miles.

Step three...get back on the diet!!!

The Ocho has put on about 4 pounds in the last 6 weeks, which doesn't sound like much, but is frustrating when she worked so hard to take those 4 pounds off the first time around. So, this morning HP08 went back on her Weight Watchers Points tracker and started plugging in her info again. She only has about 10 more pounds to lose total, but those last 10 are the hardest.

Well, as the Today Show says, it's a new day all over! Here's to the three step plan to sanity. Wish the Ocho luck!

The Ocho meets the President

2007-07-13T14:11:00.000-05:00

As a "thank you" for HP08's work on the failed immigration bill, the WH staff invited all of the immigration staffers from the Senate offices that worked on the bill and the DHS staffers to come to the WH for a receiving ceremony. To their surprise, after the President landed and entered the WH, he came up to greet the group of about 30 people, shook all of their hands, thanked them for their hard work, and then gave them a little pep talk. It was all pretty cool. Here are some photos from the occasion.

"Things change." -Daddy-o '03

2007-07-12T15:41:00.001-05:00

HP03's older brother accused her of chopping off her hair in a desperate search for change. He was right. She owned it, "Yes, D. I am seeking major life change, but will settle for a change in hairstyle to tide me over." Well, about a week later the real changes began ... Due to "an unforseen lack of funds" 03 was laid off from her gig in NH. She took off to NYC for a few extra days with SB and came back ready to dig in.

But NH is boring. And she can't work here, depsite some sexy offers. No, not stripping, actual political communications jobs. Thanks, but no thanks.

So ... drumroll please ... 03 is packing it in from the Granite State and heading back to DC, job or no job. Bring on the meetings. Bring on the interviews. Bring on the bike rides. She wants to save the world. Someone find that do-gooder bitch a job. No seriously, thoughts? She'll be back in the first week of August. She will be in Dupont with RabbiHP. And yes ladies, he digs cheetos. (HP03 and the trading post bear ponder the future.)

2007-07-12T09:00:00.000-05:00

You Better Work!

So the Ocho has spent much of her last few days getting poked and prodded by various doctors for various reasons and she felt that it was appropriate to share all of her aches and pains with TCP. Yes, probably too much info, but if you're not going to share news about all of your bodily functions with the people you work out with, who will you share with?

First, the root canal yesterday went alright. The Ocho's face is a little sore and just a bit swollen today, but it really could have been worst. The low point was when they started sticking little bits of burning metal in her mouth. Don't ask...just know that it smelled really bad. Well, actually, the low point my have been when they started sticking a bunch of random needles of varying sizes in her cheek and tongue. It was almost like mouth acupuncture, but she had not idea what the purpose was. It was at this point that HP08 just shut her eyes and decided it was better not to know what was going on. The Ocho has to go back in three weeks for her permanent crown. Since she's 90% sure that the nurse actually dropped her temporary crown on the floor while she was filing it down, she hopes the new crown is handled with care. Hopefully after they get the permanent crown in, HP08 can stay out of the dentist's office for a while since it is by far her least favorite of the doctor categories.

Last time HP08 promised stories about her new physical therapy for her damaged hip flexor. So, here you go... After much delay and whining, the Ocho decided that it was finally time to get her act together and go and see someone about her chronically sore hip. It started to be a problem during marathon training and has hurt pretty much every days since last September. So yeah, it was a little over due. Well HP06's recommended a little place on Penn and 6th SE and the Ocho went in for her first visit last week. The diagnosis? HP08's left leg is shorter than her right by about a centimeter. Of course the Ocho took this about as well as she did when she was told that she had flat feet (for those of you that don't remember, it didn't go over well.) Apparently, this is a pretty common problem, though, and the difference isn't significant enough for them to "fix it." (HP08 doesn't really want to know how you make one leg longer...) The result of her freakish deformity, however, has been extra strain on her left hip flexor and the Ocho now needs to build up the muscles in her stomach and back to support that hip. So twice a week at 8am HP08 now goes to physical therapy to build her muscles up and get stretched and generally tortured. Lori, her "therapist" seems to think that the problem is fixable and actually, the Ocho is feeling better already. And, it isn't really a bad way to start your day. HP08 assumes it's kind of like starting your day with Yoga, minus the part where Lori digs in to your stomach and back trying to loosen your muscles. The Ocho is trying to be extra good about doing her exercises at home in order to speed along the process, but she does admit that some times she forgets. Just like how she forgot to pack her underwear with her suit today when she packed her work clothes to change in to after this morning's session.

What does this mean for her training you may be wondering? (She can train without underwear.) Well...it means that HP08 has been a total bum for the last few weeks. Honestly, the Ocho has decided to give her body a little bit of a break. She's been going strong for almost two years now, between the marathon training and her tri training and thought it might be time for a little repair. However, she knows that it's about time to get back on that horse and get serious again, especially since that swim for Iron Girl is a little more than she's been used to. Lori recommended that she lay off the running for a bit or at least moderate it, (in the Ocho's mind, she remembers Lori saying, "Whatever you do, don't run and sit on your butt on the couch as much as possible") but she really needs to be swimming and biking. As soon as her MRI results come back today and she knows her brain is not going to explode, HP08 is going to put herself on a serious schedule.

Well that's all the news that's fit to print... Happy Thursday!

-Ocho Out.

2007-07-09T10:39:00.001-05:00

As the Dixie Chicks would say, "Been a long time gone..."
(the Title section wasn't working...)

Ok, so the Ocho has been out of the game for a while in more ways than one, but in the aftermath of the destruction of her life that was immigration, she has decided to pick up the pieces, refocus her life and get herself organized and back on track.
First, we'll tip a little out for the immigration bill. No, HP08 doesn't want to talk about it and won't bore those that don't care with the details. Let's just leave it at the fact the the Ocho has a lot more free time on her hands now, which is good considering everything that has been going on.
So, what's been going on? Well HP08 will tell you... To start, meet the newest member of the Ocho clan, Baby Ocho:

Abigail Marie was born on June 20th, 2007 in College Station, TX making the Ocho a proud Aunt for the first time.

Senor Ocho and HP08 spent the Fourth of July weekend in College Station with the proud parents and the little bundle of poop.

As you can see, the newest Ocho is adorable. She spends most of her days sleeping, eating and pooing. A life the rest of us can only dream of.

Other than spoiling Baby Ocho, HP08 has spent a lot of her time the last couple of weeks in and out of doctor's offices. Because the Ocho has been so busy at work, she's been putting off a number of different check-ups and tried to cram as many of them in as possible in the two days she was in town and in recess last week. The result? An MRI and MRA Wednesday afternoon and a root canal Wednesday morning. HP08 isn't 100% sure what is involved with a root canal, but here is a photo to help explain:

Get it now? Nope...HP08 either. All she knows is that it's her old dentist's fault for putting in a filling without actually getting all of the cavity out and has nothing to do with her general dental hygiene.
The MRI and the MRA are to rule out the possibility that the Ocho's brain is going to explode. The Wednesday after Little Pepper, HP08 experienced her first ever migraine. They think that it's an ocular migraine which means it has something to do with her eye sight, but they have to rule out the possibility of a brain aneurysm too (that's the exploding part.) All HP08 knows is that she had a bad headache and she had spots in her visions like this (minus the clock because the Ochos don't have a clock like that):

Well, there really is too much news to discuss it all at the point so, for next time, the Ocho will discuss her new physical therapy to fix her hip flexor. Expect many more posts from HP08 from now on since she's got nothin' but time on her hands.

And in conclusion, she'll let the Chicks sum up her feelings about the last few months and her sad, dead immigration bill:
The rest is a long time gone
No, I aint hit the roof since I dont know when
Long time gone
And it aint coming back
I said a long time gone
No, I aint honked the horn since I dont know when
Long time gone
And it aint coming back again

Bring that new hair to Phili!

2007-07-02T08:12:00.000-05:00

Hey...nice hair NH HP!

Sorry no good photo yet, but HP 09 wanted to share the good news that she successfully finished the Philadelphia Insurance Triathlon on June 23! It was a fun race but she sure missed the HP ladies, the cowbell, and the positive energy only the Caliente Pantaloons can provide. The course was far and away the 'friendliest' course this HP has ever 'tri-ed', the weather was brilliant and ~2 minutes were shaved off her run, a near miracle in itself.

This HP enthusiastically encourages the trip to She Rox Tri, which is said to be the EXACT same course, except for the swim, which instead of being upstream, is a point to point swim downstream in the Schuylkill River. Yes, it's true that 09 I was openly afraid of all the potential nasties in that river, I'll admit it, but she's still here and without flesh eating bacteria, so it's probably safe. She Rox is an all women's race on Sunday August 5, at 8:00am Check it out! http://www.sheroxtri.com/site3.aspx . Registration is still open and is $109.00/ea prior to July 9. If even 1 other HP is into it 09 is on board so give us a goal and c'mon board!

Oh, and for pre-race fun I'd suggest we look into staying in Media PA, a quick 10 minute drive from the race site and a neat little town with a great brewery for pre-race carbo loading. Of course all thoughts/suggestions are welcome.

Neeeew hair!

2007-06-25T18:31:00.000-05:00

Not the best picture, but you get the idea.

You like?

Don't tell SB. I'm "surprising" him in NYC this weekend. I don't think he reads the blog. Test. Test. Bueller? Bueller?

Damn, why girl got so much junk on her b-board?

Cork = functionality, bitches.

So I'm thinking...

2007-06-20T16:25:00.000-05:00

We should do this.

Rocky thinks it's a good idea. Thoughts?

Musings on an EPIC trip

2007-06-13T22:57:00.000-05:00

Well ladies, after having spent an hour working on my clever little rundown of our Argentina adventure, I managed to mysteriously erase it all with a stroke of the hand [2 days ago], and so naturally I cant help but be a bit bitter about the situation. SO, I’m apprehensively going in for round two. BUT, since it was such a KICKASS, blog-worthy experience, HP02 is going to suck it up and be a good sport about it.

ANYWAY, so after over a week to think about it, HP02 is ready to report about the vacation of her life, wherein HP01, 02 and DenverHotPants went to Argentina, the land of tango, steak dinners and ridiculously attractive men. We indulged perhaps a bit much in the food and libations department (it’s just what they do down there), but we made up for it with our KICK ASS extra-curricular activities. Zip-lining, rappelling thru the jungle, horseback riding and trekking in the foothills of the Andes, the Aconcagua [highest peak in the Western hemisphere], not to mention shaking it in Buenos Aires until 4 in the morn!! HP02 is here to tell you, ladies, it was epic. Reverse seasons are hard to get used to, but not that hard. And a HUGE shout must go out to HP01’s marvelous peeps in the Motherland – cousin Pedro and Uncle Eddy in BA, Uncle Edgardo and the rest of the family in Mendoza- they were so gracious, fun, and so mother-fing cool!!

AND, I got to ride Brad Pitt…as it turns out the guy who took us horseback riding in the Andes gave a helping hand on the set of “7 Years In Tibet” in the late ‘90s (which was filmed in Argentina), and he worked with Brad Pit (who was a skinny prick, blah blah blah- really, surprise surprise), but this local tour operator named one of his horses accordingly, and as fate would have it- guess who I got to mount?? Thats right, BP. Epic, ladies, epic.
In conclusion, I have to say that Argentina is *off the hook*. It is SO worth the 12 hour flight. My first solo tri isn’t until mid/late August, but I’m thinking that if I can jump off a ledge at least 200 ft. off the ground in a foreign country with no legal paperwork, with nothing but a karabiner between me and death itself, I can survive a swim/bike/run on my own. BRING IT!!

And in conclusion, HP02 is pictured here in 20 degree weather, sporting the tankini like the HP patriot that she is. Hey man, I may not be participating in the Little Pecker this weekend, but I will sure as shit be there with my cow bell!!

Shake it while you work it.

2007-06-07T14:50:00.000-05:00

Since 03 loves the tambourine and since faithful HP's are always looking for good running songs...

Also, when her heavy bangs grow out a little bit more, 03 is thinking of chopping her hair to match E-V-E's 'do. Thoughts?

The Ocho gives in...

2007-05-30T17:54:00.000-05:00

Well ladies, it's happened...the Ocho has broken under the weight of everything going on in her life. It's just too much! Between the wedding and immigration and the campaign and the new condo...it's just all too much. Something had to give and about 20 minutes ago, HP08 decided what it was going to be...Little Pepper. Now as some of you know better than other, HP08 HATES bailers and one of the things that she prides herself on is not being a fair-weather friend and trying her hardest to follow through on all of her commitments. Even as she writes this, the Ocho is getting a creepy, icy, icky feeling in her stomach that screams "You're just being a wuss! Suck it up!" And maybe she could do it, but she'd be so stressed out about it over the next two weeks that other things would suffer. So, HP08 will still go camping and hang out with the ladies and maybe she'll even participate in a leg or two, but she won't be doing the whole thing and she won't be doing the biking. To be honest, HP08 is currently terrified of her bike. It might have something to do with her giant spill last week and almost getting run over by a car, but it's going to be baby steps getting into the swing of things. Really ladies, she's trying. She's just...overwhelmed...and tired. So, HP08's birthday gift to herself is to let herself rest and save the immigrants before conquering the bike and her fears. Sometimes you just have to give in to the bigger world and karma. I hope the HPs understand and will forgive her weakness.

A little wedding update

2007-05-14T16:39:00.000-05:00

In case anyone cares, while HP03 was in town this weekend, she went with HP08 to do a final round of wedding dress try-ons. So, by the end of Sunday, the Ocho had finally picked a dress and here it is: The Dress. (It's linked just in case Senor Ocho decides to check in on the Team Hot Pants blog.)

Overly over due

2007-05-14T14:19:00.000-05:00

The Ocho would like to apologize for being woefully overdue in her blogging about Smith Mtn. HP08 has been locked in a room until all hours of the night and weekend fighting about borders and workers and what not.
However, needless to say, the HPs showed up in full force (though a few members short) at Smith Mtn. HP08 doesn't have a lot of time to bust out the details, but she will say that she improved her overall swim time by 4 minutes (Whoo Hoo!), HP04 loves her new bike and believes it rides like the wind, HP06 completed her first tri relay with flying colors and HP09 wins the rock star award for being the first HP of the summer to complete a full Tri. Oh, and can we talk about how the booted everyone out the transition area 10 minutes before the start of the race?!? Super weird, super annoying and super stressful. Anyway, enjoy the photos. Here's the next time!

HP08 and HP09 getting ready to enter the 65 degree water. (Thanks for the wet suit, HP01!)

HP06 and HP04 looking dry and warm before the start.

HP06 pounding it out at the end.

HP09 at the finish. Whoo Hoo!

HP06, HP04 and HP08, the first relay of the year.

Farewell HP03

2007-05-13T15:48:00.000-05:00

So great to see you this weekend, HP03!! HP02 met up with HP03, 04 and HotPants'Boys for some late night shenanigans on Saturday night. Here's to huka bars, epic reunions and very hott HotPants-es!! I only wish I would have thought to pull out the new camera for the 3 in the morning pizza "slices" - now that was epic.

So....LETS HEAR ABOUT IT!!

2007-05-09T19:37:00.000-05:00

Well it is Wednesday night and we havent heard a word from the brave ladies who participated in the first tri of the HotPants' season. So...how was the water?? Did this mountain lake have the dreaded water jungle to muck thru? Was the run/bike course hilly and unbearable, or did you girls blaze thru it? Lets get the details!

Over the weekend HP02 went running on Saturday morning, 3 miles, thru her neighborhood of hilly madness. She is quite proud of herself that she ran the 1.5 mile loop and then actually turned around and did it again. Then it was off to Best Buy, for her coolest purchase all year- a kickass digital camera. Lets hope this one doesnt get lost in a bar bathroom as the last one did. Anyway, Sunday was an athlethic bust. After shopping all day and fretting over what to bring on the epic Argentina trek, HP02 found herself at some lame "Irish Pub" in Crystal City, tuckered out, with wild new shoes, and a hankering to play with her new camera. Henceforth the HotPants community can look forward to lame pictures of HP02's day-to-day. Enjoy!

2007-05-04T09:07:00.000-05:00

Good luck this weekend, Ladies!!!! HP11 will be cheering for you from afar!

Homecoming.

2007-05-01T17:44:00.000-05:00

Mystery HP returns to DC on Friday, May 11.

Details for events on the 12th to come... prepare yourself.

So much, so much...

2007-04-30T13:00:00.000-05:00

Ok, the Ocho has been totally delinquent in her blogging duties, especially since she's had so much to blog about in the last couple of weeks!
First, though HP04 and HP08 didn't do a great job of documenting their experience, they made a trek down to Capitol Hill Bikes a couple of Fridays ago and the Ocho took possession of her new bike (HP04's old bike)! It was all very exciting. After they tried to sell HP08 $250 shoes and a $75 helmet, she chose the $70 shoes, the $40 helmet and some bad-ass biking gloves. Needless to say, she looks Hotttt in all of it. HP04 was nice enough to hang out with HP08 while she got her fitting done and the guy helping them said he "learned a lot" from their conversation. So, after one stem replacement, the Ocho is ready to cruise. After all of that, though, the Ocho has not had the opportunity to hit the road yet and her new bike has been doing a good job of holding down the floor in the laundry room for the last 10 days. Hopefully after this weekend's Tri season kick-off at Smith Mtn., HP08 will be able to dedicate some serious time to learning all she needs to know about biking around Virginia.
It looks like HP03 beat HP08 to the punch in posting their NH photo, but the Ocho will throw these up for good measure:

HP03 at the rally in Portsmouth.

HP08 while the Big Man was speaking in Portsmouth.

The Big Man starting the rally off in Portsmouth

The Ocho had an amazing time in the big NH and it reminded her how much she misses HP03. HP08 has decided that it's time for HP03 to give up her crazy NH lifestyle and come home the DC already!!!
Finally, HP08 has been struggling a bit to get ready for Smith Mtn. this weekend and is a little nervous about her big return to the water. (She would insert a link to her post-Bath County post here if she knew how. It's June 27, 2006 if anyone wants to check it out.) Thanks for HP01 for loaning HP08 her wet suit! The Ocho is going to take it for her first spin in the pool tomorrow night. She's also considering joining the Masters Class at the Y, which is now meeting from 5:30-6:30am Tuesdays and Thursdays. It's supposed to be geared specifically to people training for Tris and other than sleeping, what else am is HP08 doing at 5:30am?
So, that's the update from the Ocho! The HPs will be sure to fully document Smith Mtn. this weekend and we'll miss the absent HPs!!! Here's hoping we'll all be together again soon!
-Ocho out.

Sexy-Six Checking In

2007-04-29T20:45:00.000-05:00

HP Sexy-Six here - checking in for the first time. I am pumped about my first Tri with Team Hot Pants at Smith Mountain. I also just made a major purchase of a road bike. I went on two rides this weekend – and my bum lived to tell about it.

I would like to take this opportunity to explain how I claimed the name Sexy-Six. In college, my classmates and I did a research project at the Library Lounge where some state politicians used to gather to discuss the ins and outs of state policy.

The Library Lounge had an open mic policy, and one piano player loved the song Route 66. There were two women – with plenty of class and charm – would often sing along. While draped over the piano – singing as sultry as possible – they would change the words Route 66 to Route Sexy Six (or on other occasions – Route Sexy Sex).

These two women have been inspirations for my life. Our team’s research project was applauded in class, the many nights at the lounge helped me fall in love with my husband and I gained a new appreciation for the amazing talent of my home state.

I now hope to take this inspiration with me as I join Team Hot Pants. Though you may never find me draped over a player piano, you just might find me draped over anything standing at the finish line as I complete my first 5k.

Help from an unexpected source

2007-04-29T13:06:00.000-05:00

After a shocking weekend of crazy boy drama, HP02 turned tragedy into triumph on the Martha Custis trail by pounding out 20 miles on the roadbike this morning. With the help of an adrenaline surge only insensitive dumb boys can create, she was proud of choosing physical fitness over champagne brunch and subsequent afternoon drunkeness.
By the way, the Smith Mountain Tri is going down this coming weekend...are there any spectators making the trek? Is anyone camping this weekend? Will travel for fire...

Confessions of a Champion Binger

2007-04-26T21:21:00.000-05:00

HP02 would like to thank the HPs out there for not judging her and her totally sporadic approach to training and blogging in the new year. Unfortunately the maturity and evolving that is supposed to take place when a girl reaches her thirties has not yet paid a visit to this HP, and as such she remains a binger in every sense of the word. I just wish I hadnt given myself all those props a few months back about how great I was for being the only one consistently blogging. Who's the loser now??

This training report is not the most inspiring post this blog has ever seen, but rather its considered to be one step closer to getting back on the wagon. After a solid month and a half of consistent training @ the beginning of the year, HP02 got sick, was down for about 2 weeks with the black lung, and then proceeded to procrastinate, all the while living the "rock and roll all night, and party every day" lifestyle. For like a month and a half. Which in turn sank her ambition and general outlook on life. The problem with physical fitness is that while its great to talk about, it is SUCH a pain in the ass to maintain. But its just the beginning of the season, and since we simply dont have time for bullshit (or pussies) I will take after HP01 and quote the sagely Emenem: "Success is my only other motherfucking option, failures not"!!

Athletic endeavors in the near future: 15 mile bike ride to Bethesda on Saturday or Sunday, weight training and stretching on Sunday, and Combat Kickboxing with KM on Monday night. Thats right, Combat Kickboxing. I only wish I was the one who thought up such a class to offer the world with such a KICKASS name- I am SO going to listen to Emenem before it starts!

Team Caliente Pantalones Represent!

2007-04-26T12:17:00.000-05:00

Shout out to Ocho for trekking up to the N to the H for Johnny Mac and o3!

Jane would be pissed.

2007-04-19T08:39:00.000-05:00

Over 200 years later and women still can't be smart and pretty. And they sure as hell can't be smart, pretty, clever, insightful, snarky...

"A woman, especially, if she has the misfortune of knowing anything, should conceal it as well as she can. "

Not so Bright

2007-04-18T11:36:00.000-05:00

HP11 (first from right--you may not recognize her without make-up) finished her first race! With another sports t-shirt in her collection, she's feeling so much better about this semi-pro athlete thing. While the name of the race was Bright Beginnings, there was no sun at all. There was wind and rain and clouds and cold. That means, also, that the new Adventure Skirt, as published by 03, has yet to make its debut. Lucky for 11, she knows the Ocho. Running wear is to Ocho what shoes are to Imelda Marcus and Ocho outfitted 11 well. Thanks, Ocho! For you I have an extra goody-bag from the Jr League of Washington! HP11 must admit that when she woke up Sunday morning to pouring rain and whipping wind, she called her friend Julie (first from left) and bailed. Then she got back in warm bed and thought to self, If I were with TCP I could not bail. So she rose in search of her inner-Steve Prefontaine, dressed for the elements, called Julie and best of all...did not finish last!

I choose Vokda. And Chaka Kahn

2007-04-18T09:36:00.000-05:00

HP04 hasn't been working out. I'm too fat and too unmotivated. Not to worry, the realization that I have a TRI in 2 weeks will be getting me going soon. I'm also looking forward to bike fitting Friday with Ocho!! Wooohooo!! Neeeeeewwww Biiiikkkkkkkeeeee.

I do, however, want to share with my fellow HPs all that has been keeping my busy and away from the gym. Many of you may know that i have 6 weddings to attend this year. This past weekend was my cousin's wedding. It was a spectacular Bridget Jones moment for HP04 as she stood by and watched her cousin wed (same age) enduring a weekend of questions such as "why aren't you married?"

What kind of question is that? I've been asked that question a number of times. One individual, a former boss and good family friend, went so far as to say (after i replied to the question with my standard reply "i don't know, no one's asked") "Really? Really? NO one's asked?? No on has even asked...?" A defeated 04: "Um, no"'

And to make matters worse in a conversation Monday night with a guy I'd gone on a date with, he asked if he could ask me a personal question. I said, okay. And this is the way the conversation went. From here on out we'll call him "insensitive prick" (a little background on insensitive prick: he's legally separated from his wife in the process of divorcing and has two kids. i know, i know, i know - save your judgement ladies)

Insensitive prick "you're such an amazing girl. beautiful, intelligent, funny, it would just seem that if you're not married by now either you put up walls preventing it from happening or you have some sort of skeleton in your closet that comes out later on."

04 : "what kind of skeleton?" (already deeply offended, i decided to see how deep a hole he would dig himself)

Insensitive prick: "i don't know"

04: "well, clearly you've thought about this, and if you've thought about it enough to ask the question then i would think you would have some sort of example in mind of a skeleton that would preclude some man from marrying me"

Insensitive prick: "well, like a drug problem"

04: "ARE YOU KIDDING ME??? You really think that the only reason that could possible explain why I'm not married is because I have a drug problem? Well, it would certainly make my life more interesting but how about the fact that I'm an independent woman, who has a career, supports herself and is only 31??? I'm not the one that has a problem, it's you and the rest of society that have a problem. You're the one's that look at a woman such as myself who's 31 and unmarried and assume the only reason she couldn't possibly be married is that there is something so heinously wrong with her that it repels men, rather than it being a choice that I've made. Perhaps the question you should be asking is why were you so foolish to get married?? I'm not the one who's getting a divorce 12 years and after bringing two children into this world. I think rather you should be asking me, how do i have it figured out and how am i so smart as to NOT have made a foolish mistake of marrying the wrong person?????"

I don't understand it ladies, is this 1950?? I'm sooooo tired of that question. What the hell kind of question is that??? And at what point do people begin acknowledging those that are smart enough to wait for the right thing rather than jump at the first thing that comes along? I'm the first one to admit that i want to be married, but I'm also smart enough to also know i don't want to be divorced. I'm tired of being judged. I'm tired to being looked down upon as if something is wrong with me. So, that being said I've been thinking about ways to answer that question - as it always seems to come at weddings and i have 5 more to go...please cast your votes:

"Why aren't you married?"

"I don't know. Maybe its my third nipple or my 20 toes?"

"Well, I used to be a man. Could that have anything to do with it?"

"Well, I don't want to get into anything too serious because my sex change operation is in two months"

"It could be because underneath my clothes my body is covered in scales" (shout out to Bridget Jones)

"Because 1 in 3 marriages fail. How's yours doing?" (because its always married men that ask the question"

"Bugger off"

"Because I have really bad taste in men"

"The ink just dried on my 4th divorce. I'm looking for husband #5. Know anyone?"

"I have multiple personalities and don't like to take my medication"

"Vodka and I get along better than men and I do"

Where everybody knows your name...

2007-04-17T21:07:00.001-05:00

After a couple of weeks off for the annual Cherry Blossom trek, the Ocho headed back to the pool tonight. It was a triumphant return as HP08 swam a full half mile with only one break in the middle and avoiding as much as possible pushing off of the walls. Since HP08 has about 3 weeks to prepare for Smith Mountain, she was relieved that her first spin in the pool in a while went fairly smoothly. The only unpleasantry came when the Ocho headed back to the locker room to jump in the shower before heading home. (This was only after HP08 had to pad to the front desk in nothing but a soggy towel and her wet two-piece racing suit because the pool side was out of clean towels. Grr...) So, she saw a woman stick her bathing suit in the drying machine outside of the shower area and in an effort to be nice and helpful, as we all know the Ocho always strives to be, HP08 turns and says "Just to warn you, that machine has been known to eat bathing suits." The woman, not even turning around to acknowledge HP08's existence says in an ultra-snotty "Um, yeah, I've been around here long enough to know that." The Ocho really wanted to say "Oh I'm sorry, I didn't realize you were I 'regular' at the Y. I guess I missed everyone yelling 'NORM!' as you got in the pool!" So, HP08 says down with the bitchy YMCA regulars and up with kindness in the locker room!!!
Oh, and one other piece of bad news for all the YMCA ladies...it looks like the hotty lifeguard may have a lady in his life. He spent the entirety of HP08's swim hanging out and chatting up a new female lifeguard that the Ocho had never seen before. This didn't stop him from stripping off his shirt around lap 25 of HP08's swim, though, which perked her right up. Meeeeoooowwww...

Could it be?

2007-04-12T17:00:00.000-05:00

Good luck HP11!

-03

I feel like I'm taking CRAZY pills

2007-04-12T15:58:00.000-05:00

What the hell is going on around here??? First the Council on Foriegn Affairs degrades itself by inviting EL WHORO Jolie to be a member, and now the Situation Room is quoting JT?? That's right, Wolf Blitzer just asked if "Arnold Schwarzenegger is bringing sexy back to environmentalism?” What the Fuck?

Bright Beginnings

2007-04-12T15:03:00.000-05:00

It's a Season of Firsts for HP11: Today she makes her first blog; Sunday she runs her first 5k, the Brighter Beginnings race at Haynes Point. 7am on Sunday. For those who know her best (The Ocho and HP06) they will agree that HP11 is easily intimidated by other athletes. She fears they take one look at her and know she wore pleats, not cleats, in high school. Though she's getting much better, the initiation into TCP certainly helps with confidence, HP11 often finds strength in at least playing the part. That is why she made a very wise investment in an Adventure Skirt for running. Though Nike, it should compliment the HP TYR uniform just fine. If HP11 was more savy a blogger, she'd know how to put up a picture or at least a link to said skirt, but alas...she hopes her words provide vivid imagery when she says it's NOT pleated, short yet flattering and even if the shorts part of it get trapped between thigh-fat while she sprints, no one will see, as aforementioned fatness will be shielded by the skirt. Where it over-states in prissy, it compensates in practicality. As always, here's hoping HP11 doesn't finish last!

CherryBlossoms.com

2007-04-11T13:06:00.000-05:00

Umm...so the Ocho was looking for a photo of a Cherry Blossom to accompany her post about her recent Cherry Blossom 10 miler experience and googled Cherry Blossoms. This is the top, highlighted link that google sent to me: cherryblossoms.com. Ummm...THAT'S CLEARLY A MAIL ORDER BRIDE SERVICE!!! All HP08 wanted was a nice picture of a pink and white flower and now she's totally traumatized!!! She doesn't even have the heart to post her story about the 10 miler. Here's her photo anyway...

Hey Bitches!

2007-04-10T14:51:00.000-05:00

HP03 wants to know, "Why you no blog!?!"

Kill me. No wait... I can't breathe... I'll take myself out, thanks.

2007-04-09T17:20:00.000-05:00

It's official. 03 has hit the height of her chubs. o3 knows it's not very HP of her to gripe about weight, but this is uncharted waters for 03. Plus, she is small boned, extra weight is VERY obvious on her. HP04 lent her sassy DVF wrap dress for a rehersal dinner 03 must attend at the end of the month and the try on session confirmed what 03 has suspected since she returned from her SE Asia trip.

So what did she do you ask? Well, she ran 5 miles on Sunday (can't really walk today) and said no thanks to free chips (w/sandwich) at lunch, but she also ordered, *gasp* a near-full body spanx outfit! Eek. For those of you familar with 03's anti-beauty is pain philosphy (she won't even wax) and her aversion to mere control top panties are right to suspect that she will never wear these, but 03 thought you should know that she is faking it now. Boo!

Clarification. Because politics can be stressful and confusing.

2007-04-05T13:17:00.000-05:00

At this very moment I know four things.

While "we" support the escalation in Iraq, I mean the troop surge, I mean the *new & improved!* strategy, I know sometimes we just need a little peace.

I know sometimes we need to say nothing and be listened to.

I know this is why we camp.

And finally, I know I'd be a poorer woman if I never saw an eagle fly.

(Belated thanks DHP.)

I love me some Jelly Bellies

2007-04-03T16:03:00.000-05:00

So, as some of you may or may not know, HP09 and HP08 have been taking belly dancing classes together for a couple of months now. HP03 started all of this belly shaking craziness last fall, but after she headed to the great white north, HP08 and HP09 kept it up and have been at it now in Beginner II since January.
Ok, so the Ocho came to a sad realization last night. Her quest to become the world's greatest belly dancer has come to an end. Her talent has plateaued. The drill sergeant of a belly dancing teacher made that abundantly clear when she told HP08 that she was doing everything wrong in front of the whole class last night. Damn those make-up classes and teachers that teach everything differently! To see a video clip of the Ocho belly dancing click here ...
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THAT'S NOT THE OCHO!!!

Ok, but seriously, this is here.
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Gotcha! That isn't either. However, that is the non-drill sergeant teacher/owner of our belly dancing studio that taught HP08 and HP09's class last week. She's like 30 years old and owns her own business with three dance studios. CRAZY!

So HP08 started this post on Tuesday after her Monday, make-up class. It is now Thursday and HP08 and HP09 had their regular class last night. The Ocho learned two things last night: 1. The Wednesday night teacher is WAY better and nicer than the Monday night teacher and 2. Belly Dancing with 2 beers in your belly makes everything so much more fun! She will still never be a belly dance superstar, but at least she can enjoy their last three weeks of class without feeling like a moron.

Here's to loving jiggly thighs, jelly bellies and beer!

-Ocho Out

I was running...

2007-04-03T13:35:00.000-05:00

Well ladies, this post is going to be short on visual aids, but long on content pertaining to running...and belly dancing. So try to contain your excitement.
First, Papa Ocho pointed out to HP08 on Sunday that she never blogged about their harrowing journey over 13.1 miles of treacherous downtown Phoenix and Tempe in January. The Ocho offers up her apologies to Papa Ocho and assures him that the lack of blogging should not reflect her love for him or the extreme impact the run had on her psyche and spirit. So...here is goes...
Back in the middle of January, HP08 and Senor Ocho traveled out to the great state of Arizona for a little wedding planning and a lot of running. Ocho, Papa Ocho and Senor Ocho had signed up to run the PF Changs Rock and Roll (half) marathon and they had all been training through the bitter months of December. Well actually, HP08 and Senor Ocho's December was bitter, Papa Ocho's was fairly mild. Either way, all three had been training for months, but nothing would fully prepare them for what awaited them in the big city to the North, err... North of Tucson at least...
The happy couple flew in to Tucson on Friday, stepped off the plane and out of the airport to realize that it was freakin' freezing outside! It seriously was! And not just freezing from the Arizona stand point, freezing by DC standards, which meant record lows in Arizona. Arizonans didn't know what to do with themselves...pipes were bursting, plants were freezing, old people were crying...it wasn't pretty. Anyway, hoping that the world would come to its senses and praying the global warming would finally pay off, Ocho and Senor Ocho spent Friday and Saturday morning nailing down some details for the wedding and then the whole happy Ocho family (minus Sister Ocho) drove up to Phoenix to spend the night before the big race. Let's just say that Al Gore and his Oscar did nothing for the Ochos that weekend and by race time the temperature had only managed to reach about 30 degrees. HP08 had assumed that even though it was January, she would be fine in her tankini and pants for the big race. She ended up having to borrow an old turtle neck from Mama Ocho and ditch it on the side of the road about 4 miles in. So, they're freezing their Ocho's off and to make matters worse, HP08 and Senor Ocho were still recovering from their marathon pains and Papa Ocho had pulled his calf muscle just a couple of weeks before the big event. Muscles were instantly stiff and no one loosened up or had feeling in their fingers until about mile 6 or 7. At one point, HP08 took a wrong step and torqued her knee in an odd way causing the Ocho crew to walk for a few hundred feet. They could only stop running for a short spurt, though, because the cold instantly caused them to start stiffening up again. Either way, all three Ochos were able to see some scenic, and not to scenic, parts of Phoenix and Tempe and though HP08 may have been overheard uttering the phrase "Where is the GOD DAMN FINISH LINE!?!?" at about mile 12.5, they all had a good time and were pretty proud of themselves. However, to date, this is the only race that HP08 has run where she crossed the finish line and made a beeline straight for the medical tent. As soon as the Ocho digs her photos out of one of her many boxes, she will get them scanned in and posted. For now, here is a little visual to keep you stimulated:

(The start line of the 2006 P.F. Chang Rock and Roll marathon)

Well the Ocho has to get back to work, so keep your eyes open for upcoming posts on HP08, the belly dancing wonder, and the 2007 Cherry Blossom 10 mile.

-Ocho out

Tisk, tisk, tisk

2007-03-23T13:57:00.000-05:00

I can't believe HP03 hid this picture behind a hyperlink. This should be front and center on our blog all the time...I heart McSteamy

Walkin' on Sunshine...Oh Oh...

2007-03-22T13:38:00.000-05:00

The Ocho has an announcement to make...
HP08 has decided to come to grips with the fact that she has flat feet. For those of you poor souls that were around when the news was diagnosed with "flat feet," you'll recognize what a big step this is for her.

(Doctor: Oh, well for starters, you have flat feet.
Ocho: No I don't! You have flat feet!

*ten minutes later in car Papa Ocho innocently answers the phone in the middle of the day*

Papa Ocho: Hello Jensens!
Ocho: YOU GAVE ME FLAT FEET!)

Some may be wondering why HP08 was even bothered by this prognosis and to be honest, she can't really tell you. The important thing is, though, that she has accepted it and is ready to make adjustments in her life to compensate for her defect, err..."challenge." What this really means is that the Ocho is investing a little extra money and getting shoes that are actually made for her type of feet. Introducing the Asics GEL-Kayano XII:

The Ocho still loves the Asics 2100 series, but is hoping that these fancy (translation: expensive) shoes will help her to have a long life of walking on her big ol' flat feet. Oh, and the fact that they match the tankini is just a bonus!

Neeewwww Biiikkke!

2007-03-21T19:47:00.000-05:00

HP04 just bought a new TRI bike!!! Wooohoooo! So excited and can't wait to get on it! Don't worry the Scott is being passed down to the Ocho so she can start full TRIs. What can I say..expensive purchases motivate me to work out!!

SALE!!!

2007-03-21T12:56:00.000-05:00

If any of the HPs need a new or replacement Tankini, the Ocho found them on sale today:

http://www.triathletesports.com/TYR-W-Tankini-Top-p/swswss0035.htm

(PS...HP08 is a little worried that they might be discontinuing the beloved tankini...)

No dice.

2007-03-21T12:14:00.000-05:00

HP03 grabbed lunch with the "advance guys" and another coworker.

Advance are HUGE Bushies and are lead by a big Bushie (who is *shocker* a bit of a dick). They are like big to the point that I'm not sure I can properly explain it. In fact, one said this AM in response to the WH's presser on the AG scandal, "What? They haven't even done anything wrong. I just don't get it."

At the risk of losing something HP03 will just excerpt a portion of the lunch convo:

NHstaffer: Is Gray's new tonight?

03: Dunno, missed it last week. I think she's still dead.

NHstaffer: Damn.

Advance1: Dr. Burke was at the WH.

NHstaffer: Why not McDreamy?

03: Why not McSteamy?

Advance1: Well, he apparently actually does stuff like deworms kids in Africa or something.

NHstaffer: Yeah, but he's the one that got all the bad press for the stuff he said.

03: I'm pretty sure the WH invited him because of the shit he said.

NHstaffer: *slight laugh*

Advance1-3: Total Silence.

03: Ka-kaw.

This guy has loads of time on his hands, but it's kind of funny.

Oh, and no working out for 03 as of late, but she did just eat TWO boxes of orange tic tacs in less than five minutes.

Unacceptable!

2007-03-19T17:29:00.000-05:00

So...the Ocho is wandering around the uber-excellent sale at Sports Authority on Sunday and stumble across a whole section of attire in the women's section that she has deemed UNACCEPTABLE for serious athletes. The first of these items is the padded sports bra described as a "full-figure sports bra that lets you look like a natural woman." Ok, HP08 can sympathize with those women that might need more support in the sportbra department, BUT! if you are concerned that you don't look like a "natural woman" while exercising you may want rethink your "goals" at the gym. The second offender was a gathered tank-top with frills on the front and spaghetti straps. HP08 doesn't need to repeat her argument in relation to this item. So, while the Ocho gathered up her new bike shorts and her excellent new running jacket, she turned her back on those frilly, shimmery, overly matching items and embraced the fact that real women sweat, smell bad and have tube-boob when they're working out.

Damn it.

2007-03-09T15:17:00.000-05:00

Day 1 Without Dessert at Lunch: HP03 devours her left index finger nail instead. Ew.

Too damn cold

2007-03-08T15:35:00.000-05:00

HP03 is back, sort of. She is in the hinterland frezzing her ass off. Well, again, sort of. If only it were that easy, especially because 03 weighed herself the other day and is officially a full 17 lbs over where she thinks she's like to be and a full 12 over where she has EVER GONE BEFORE. Seriously, what is 03 supposed to do? Stop taking chips at lunch? Stop supplementing chips, snadwich and *diet* soda with whoopie pies? Ugh. Such work.

...So she's started running. Sort of. She ran outside on Sunday afternoon and Monday morning after her now infamous 7am conference call. The Monday run was in 24 degree weather and 03's lungs were feeling it. But since Tuesday it has been at least -18 outside and she dare not go. So... 03 has hit the treadmill at her local YMCA ($39 per month, single adult membership --less is more when it comes to gym costs since she never goes). HP03 loathes treadmills. Weds night's 3 miles took 03 8:30 each and she was feeling it. Yes, she is out of shape. But more importanly, she is too easily distracted. Stock tickers on CNBC. NCAA tourney games on ESPN. Fat guy on eliptical. Frat guy throwing free weights. Chubby chic in spandex and jewlery. It goes on and on.

HP03 longs for 30degree weather of DC and child's playtime of old, not this new fangled crap.

Little known fact...

2007-03-08T15:19:00.000-05:00

IAFF stands for I Am Fucking Furious.

Really, any excuse to post photos of smokin' firefighters (thinking about setting my house a' blaze) works for me. But yeah, so these guys are pissed at the Rudester.

Ride the wave ... from jackass radio personality all the way to jackass WH spokesman

2007-03-08T14:47:00.000-05:00

I know, I owe the blog and the HPs a major post, but this was too good to resist. The frat house returns to the White House, again

WH Press Sec. Tony Snow got a crowd of gov't employees and appointees "to do the wave... twice" 3/6 to "pump them up" for a speech by Pres. Bush at Constitution Hall. "When the crowd initially paused, Snow implored them, 'No really: Get up and do the wave!'" Everyone, "Cabinet members and all" complied. Then, to get them "really geeked up," Snow "made the crowd do another wave" before he introduced Laura Bush (Dufour/Gavin, DC Examiner, 3/8).

Phat shout out to my bro-bra T-dogg Snow for inciting the always-dignified-wave at Consti-fucking-tution Hall.

What a raging band of idiots.

Much love, 03

The Ocho's first "TRI"

2007-03-05T12:54:00.000-05:00

Well Ladies, she did it. The Ocho finally completed her first Triathlon. Ok, so it wasn't an actual outdoor triathlon or anything like that, but she did swim, bike and run and it all kicked her butt. It was a pretty good time all in all, and HP08 would recommend it to anyone that was looking to break in to the triathlon-ing scene. Below you will find photos from the Ocho's big adventure. In the end, she swam 425 meters in 10 minutes, biked 9.3 miles in 30 minutes, and ran 2.11 miles in 20 minutes. Not too shabby. Oh, and the Lifetime Fitness in Centerville is a mecca for excercise freaks. It's bigger than most high schools.

The Ocho getting ready in the pool. (That's her blue swim cap in the middle.)

The Ocho swimming her heart out. (Look at that form HP04!)

Cooling down at the end of a long day. Shout out for the tankini!

Where or where has the Ocho gone?

2007-03-01T16:00:00.000-05:00

HP08 is sure that the HotPants have been heart-sick over the absence of the Ocho as of late. As a response to their curiosity, the Ocho took this photo of her work space:
Yes...this is really where the Ocho works. It really isn't usually this bad. Seriously...it's not. However, HP08 has always felt that her desk reflects how she feels about work and life at that moment...well there you go.

Swim Advice from the Novice

2007-02-21T23:08:00.000-05:00

Well ladies, one more consecutive post from HP02 and she will have to start charging people to post on her blog. Just kidding. This HP has had her fair share of weeks-at-a-time of being remiss at blogging, and has NO BUSINESS pointing the finger!

So tonight a trip to Alexandria was in order for a proper pool workout. Considerable distractions have cropped up since the weekend that have made for good excuses to not take the time to workout. Anyway, during the before-swim rinse off HP02 remembered to thoroughly wash her face this time, and chuckled as she recalled the first time she hit the pool after work. It was a few weeks ago, and due to HP impatience the pre-swim rinse off was pathetic at best. It was a good swim, but it was cut short due to some considerable visual interference. After investigation it was discovered that the eye make up had somehow exploded inside the goggles, which made this HP think perhaps she ruined the goggles. HP02 rushed to the bathroom, imagining herself looking like the KISS dude, which was NOT the kind of attention she wanted to attract after having spent the last 30 minutes sputtering and coughing after every 3rd stroke. So at least for HP02, the make up has got to go before the plastic is strapped on the face. Period.

ENOUGH ALREADY

2007-02-19T22:24:00.000-05:00

Well I hate to complain, but hott damn...it has been freaking cold and icy of late. Truth be told, HP02 is getting real sick of the stationary bike. Im about to poke my eyeballs out looking at myself in the mirror as I try and imagine hauling ass up that gradual hill to Leesburg on the W&DO Trail with HP01, or working that hilly route to Vienna from Rosslyn with HP04. THANK GOODNESS for the warmer temperatures that are predicted for the later end of this week! OK perhaps I was born and raised in CO, but at least there when its snowing, its freaking snowing. And then it melts, like within a couple of days. But I'll tell you what, all I know is that day light savings time is scheduled to start around March 11 this year, thanks to the United States House of Representatives, and when that happens, provided this icy BS melts off, this HP is planning on busting out on the outdoor scene!!

And now lets remember what the HOTPANTS were doing this time last year...we laughed, we cried, we had a GREAT time, thanks to Uncle Bear and Auntie Rayne. Good times. Definatly some solid "I-love-you-man" moments!

4th Week of Training is a Bust

2007-02-17T00:20:00.000-05:00

Well, its HP02 again, and just so you know, one component of the HP02 New Years Resolution package included journaling more, so guess what, the HotPants blog satisfies this requirement perfectly. Sorry ladies! So this week I have been woefully inept at keeping up the training momentum. The damn weather has contributed to this unfortunate turn of events considerably. Monday night was bike extravaganza at the MID gym, followed by 200 reps of ab work, but Tuesday I braved the weather to commute to the pool, only to find that the YMCA was closed. BOLLOCKS. AND it was closed on Wednesday as well. But that ended up not mattering, because for VD I went out with a colleague, drank too much and ended up getting home late, drunk and unable to go to sleep, which ruined Thursday's training ambitions. How easily discouraged I become- at any time I could have gone back to the MID gym for a proper workout, but opted out. So by tonight I was ready and rearing to go. Tonight turned out to be brick night: 30 minutes on the bike, followed by 2 miles of running on the treadmill, and about 150 ab reps (that involved the exercise ball- EW). I was happy with this progress, as I HATE ruining a great bike ride with running. Tonight this HP hasnt been able to relax, however, due to the fact that I keep thinking about HP07's advise from HighSchool regarding sit-ups- apparently if you don't do your ab work sucking it in, your stomach will solidify in a protruded configuration. And since she's been a decorated basketball sensation since the 8th grade, I will always defer to her...

An HP tribute to the late Chris Farley

2007-02-15T12:22:00.000-05:00

Chris Farley, the man the legend, would have been 43 years old today. Lets have a moment of laughs for one of the best comedians to have come out of Saturday Night Live...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fyEJqDDI9bw

Happy Birthday Aquarius HotPants

2007-02-15T12:17:00.000-05:00

A special shout-out to HP03 and HP10 on their special day! According to the WaPo, your day is looking sassy..."Get ready to have a great day! A lot of positive energy is circulating between you and your friends right now, and you all will be feeding off of the good vibes you're sending to one another. This is a wonderful day for parties, shopping trips, and fun dinners in restaurants that have good sound systems. Don't fight the urge to dance if it overtakes you -- your moves will make you the star of the dance floor! Do not take anything too seriously."

HP03 & HP10's Humorscope for the day is a bit more telling..."You are the academic type and will probably end up working in the legal system. This means you are an absolute pervert, at the least a transvestite. Your ideal sexual partner is a Labrador puppy wearing fishnet tights."

Happy VD, Ladies!

2007-02-14T13:37:00.001-05:00

One of 2006 Funniest Moments

2007-02-14T13:21:00.000-05:00

Late one evening, after some adult beverages with the Old Town crowd, the founding HPs were caught in bit of a predicament…HP03 borrowed HP04’s snazzy car, which somehow failed to start, just minutes before having to pick-up 04 at the airport. So, the ingenious HP03 called on 01 & 02 for help. Irony of all Ironies…it’s the Molotov Cocktail to the rescue! Observe HP02's vintage dodge neon kick-starting HP04's MB hotrod. Classic!

Oh Purple Monster, Why You No Blog?

2007-02-14T13:18:00.000-05:00

Feel me flow

2007-02-13T13:11:00.000-05:00

After getting the go ahead from my doctor at the 6 week check-up, I put on the snazzy running outfit Pico got me for Christmas – which unfortunately looked like something painted on the Michilen tire guy – and embarked on my first post-pregnancy run last Saturday. Holy moly, ladies, it is a hard road back. I went about 2 and half miles, small potatoes, and everything felt good except for my legs. They felt like lead and were like, “WTF? Do you seriously expect us to cart around this extra 30 pounds?” My pace was pathetically slow and I sweat like a pig, but it all felt FANTASTY!!! I went for a 3 mile run again on Monday and already feel faster and sleeker. “So clap your hands and grab yo’ sho’tie, I’m naughty.”

Death By Chips & Salsa

2007-02-12T15:38:00.000-05:00

Well this weekend HP02 had class, but still managed to get some training in. Most of this training has been for naught, however, as HP02 cant keep her hands off the chips and salsa. Dinner last night: chips and salsa. Lunch today: chips and salsa. HP02 is desperatly weak when it comes to the food she loves. Dang it.

Anyway, Saturday it was 30 minutes on the treadmill, Sunday a half an hour in the pool, and then upper body weights at the Y. Today will be a bike day - the upper body is too painful for anything else!

Keeping it Going

2007-02-08T10:49:00.000-05:00

It must be noted that the new blogger.com alliance with google pretty much rocks. It is so much easier to post comments, and it loads so much quicker now! HP02 could blog forever!

Tonight HP02 is heading back to the pool, for more laps. Yesterday was a lunch time upper body weights session and last night a 30 minute run on the treadmill. One of the many perks of working for the military industrial complex is the presence of a full gym in the building- there really is no excuse for HP02 not to be ripped- if only she could learn to get out her workplace frustration downstairs in the gym instead of after work with a bottle of wine...

We Are Suburbanites, Thats Mother-Effin Right

2007-02-06T22:21:00.000-05:00

Well, ladies, it looks as though we all have the same thing on the brain these days: "You need to get your sluggish ass to the gym, sister". And tonight, with all excuses evading me, I schlepped down to my new gym, the Y, for the inaugural pool episode. What a breath of fresh air, the local YMCA in suburbia. It was nearly 100% different than the pretension that comes from chicks the size of toothpicks with competitive eating disorders at the Georgetown WSC.

HP02 would like to publicly thank HP07, the Siete, for tricking her older sister into going to the gym tonight. After explaining to the Siete all the logical reasons why HP02 HATES swimming in general and public pools in particular, the Siete replies "I'm going to call you tomorrow, and if you didn't go to the pool I'll expose you for the trash-talking pussy you are". Ok she didn't say it like that, but that's how I took it (because she is my little punk sister). ;) She is brilliant, however, because that thought is what drove HP02 to the gym, into the pool, and thru 12 laps. It was horrible, but ain't nobody gonna call HP02 a pussy!!! As usual, HP02 screwed up the directions-according to the "0 to 1650 in six weeks" training schedule, the first time you are supposed to do 100 yards...rest for 12 breaths...repeat 3 times. HP just glanced at the # 12 and thought that that was the objective for the evening. As one would imagine, after 4 laps, the breaks between got longer and longer. I expect to learn my lesson from over-doing it tomorrow when I cant get out of bed.

An observation about swimming: HP02 needs to spend some time chilling in the pool, face down. When my face is in the water I am so bloody tense! Tonight, towards the end of my lapping, I began to see what HP01 means when she says swimming can be relaxing, but this HP has a LONG way to go. I don't see how you crazy girls can survive swimming amongst all those other competitive athletes. I'm going to die of hyperventilation.

HP02 has been back on the training wagon for 2 and a half weeks now, and its slowly getting easier to deal with always being sore. In an attempt to be conscious of all factors that go into training, Ive been keeping a food journal, as well as an exercise journal. HP02 was truly appalled to see the amount of alcohol consumed per week, and has scaled it back to a once a week restriction. Fitness goals for 2007: one triathlon (TBD), one century ride (TBD), 2 CO 14,000 ft. peaks, and MAD camping/rock climbing/hiking/mountain biking.

One last thing. As a relay-cyclist, I have never spent much time in the pool or running. Ive been running 2 days a week for the last couple of weeks now, and I must say its damn painful to my left hip. The only way to stretch the muscle affected is to lay on my left side and prop myself up on my elbow. Has anyone ever pulled that muscle? It is bloody painful and I don't know whether I should power thru it or what. Any ideas?

Back at it...

2007-02-06T13:52:00.000-05:00

Yesterday was HP04s return to the pool!!! It felt GREAT to be back in the pool and although i haven't swam in almost 4 months (i'm embarrassed to say. well wait i did swim in Thailand. Although i guess that was really just floating. yep, 4 months) the dreaded return wasn't bad at all! I didn't drowned, and while i flailed around quite a bit i enjoyed the swim.

Being a hearty girl from upstate NY, I LOVE the winter. I LOVE cold weather. And I really LOVE snow! And while i'm not complaining I'd like to note the fact that it is damn cold out! For this HP the idea of stripping off her clothes, putting on bathing suit and getting wet is complete torture. But, i was determined this was going to be the week to get back into the pool. I almost back out until i remembered the free hot cocoa machine at the Y. Mmmmmmmmm hot cocoa. I swam a mile and was pretty pleased with my time (under 35 minutes) for not having been in a pool for 4 months. I thought for sure I wouldn't be able to lift my arms today but i'm not that sore. Goodness all around. Although I do have some tips for my fellow HPs.

Tips on returning to the pool:
1. Do NOT leave your swimsuit in the car all day long. One wouldn't think a swim suit could be cold But, trust me it brings a chill to places you don't want chilled.
2. Hot Cocoa machine is a MUST in this dreadful cold!!!! But, Dunkin' Donuts has the BEST hot cocoa.
3. Don't forget a hat for post swim car ride home. I was rather impressed with myself that I remembered to bring comfy clothes so i didn't have to put my work clothes on post swim. In fact, the outfit bottoms were tossed in my bag. With the outfit bottoms i brought a sports bra and t-shirt. Brilliant - warm bottom cold top. So, i put on the outfit bottoms, sports bra (almost went without but thought the added layers might do the boobs some good), t-shirt, work sweater, scarf and work jacket. I'd like to add that everything was a different color. Bottoms - black, shirt - baby blue, sweater - pink, coat - winter white, scarf - baby blue. I looked like some kind of athletic bag lady. Got home and my hair was crispy from the cold.
4. CHECK YOUR SWIM SUITS LADIES!!!! (i refer you to ocho's post "the incredible eating speedo"). Ocho got me thinking about my suit. Sure enough when I got to the gym it had melted away to just about nothing. Aware that my ass was probably visible I carefully wrapped a towel around my waist took the Ocho approach and said "eh, fuck it" and headed into the pool for one last swim. This was working out for me, until half way through my swim i realized my boobs were wiggling around quite a bit and I realized its because my suit has NO support left. So there i am - swimming in a probably very see through suit with no support. I'm sure it was quite the vision. In fact, at one point I caught a boy of about 13 staring at my boobs. I couldn't’t see anything but, I suspect he could see right through; he certainly saw something he liked. Creepy. If word gets out about the HPs suits the 6:00 swim hour could become VERY popular at the Y.
5. Worrying about cold pool is wasted anxiety. The Y pool is nice and toasty warm. In was warmer than the air temp, I didn't want to get out - in part because felt exposed in my see through bathing suit.
6. Hot cocoa, turkey peperoni, and a bottle of wine, while a delicious dinner, is NOT a balanced post swim meal.

This week was return to the gym. Next week is sports nutrition. I realized as i was writing this that my nutrition yesterday consisted of:
breakfast - egg white omelet & coffee
lunch - three pieces of turkey with a slice of fat free cheese melted on top. (disgusting? yes! but it was so cold i didn't want to go out and get anything else)
afternoon snack - 2 pieces of cheese
Dinner - hot cocoa, turkey peperoni & wine

This is not the diet of an athlete. Hahaha - just had a thought. its rather like HP03's random diet of weird stuff. Shout out to HP03!!!

In conclusion, another shout out this one to Ocho! Congrats on signing up for your first TRI. It def is a TRI and i can't wait to ring the cowbell for you. Your stationary location will free up many of the logistical planning that goes into HP cheering events.

News from the fat one!!

2007-02-01T17:40:00.000-05:00

Silenced by my 60 pounds of weight gain during my pregnancy (see ginormous photo), I am now back on the blog to document the come-back of the siete!!!!

I had no intention of gaining that much weight, but after the first 6 months of eating right and exercising regularly, I had already gained the recommended maximum of 40 pounds. With three more months to go, I went ahead and stopped trying so hard as it seemed futile. That sort of attitude is a disgrace to the HP name, I know, but you just get damn hungry with a baby growing inside of you. An illogical and insane part of myself wished I would deliver a 60 pound baby so I could leave the hospital looking like my normal self. But, she only weighed 7.3 lbs. . . . . . The good news is my genitals are still in tact as, they would surely have been shredded by a 60 pound baby, and I have already lost 30 pounds due to the fat burning powers of breast feeding. So, it is upwards and onwards from here. I have signed up for the Steamboat half-marathon at the beginning of June and plan to start running as soon as I get the okay from my doctor. The only challenge I foresee is large, milk-filled breasts and running. I’ll keep you posted. I shall leave you with a photo of my beautiful daughter. All of the weight gain, pain of birth, and sleeplessness pale in comparison to the joy she has brought us!!! SIETE OUT.

My Milk Shake Brings all the Boys to the YMCA / The Incredible Eatable Speedo

2007-02-01T10:06:00.000-05:00

Once upon a time in a land far, far away called Alexandria there lived a swimsuit named Speedo. Now this was a good and trusty swimsuit that served who owner well until one day she just couldn't take it and decided to eat her beautiful purple self while being stored in her beautiful purple swim bag.
That's right, Ladies, the Ocho's swimsuit committed...well I don't know what you call it when you dissolve your own lining, but that's what it did. It's really quite tragic. HP08 got to the Y on Thursday night to find a thread bare purple speedo tucked neatly away in her swim bag. How does this type of thing happen you may ask? HP08 has no idea. It will be a mystery that will outlive us all. However, did this stop the Ocho from going swimming!?! No! And do you know why? Because HP08 is dedicated to her craft! (And she had already driven all the way out there...) So, the Ocho decided to strap on her trusty training suit for one farewell swim. She did a few spins in front of the mirror in the locker room to try and ensure that she wasn't going to be putting on a show for the rest of the gym and decided that she was going to be ok. In retrospect, the Ocho probably didn't fully appreciate the impact that water would have on the thinning suit and it's ability to cover up her Hoo-ha. So, HP08 and the Speedo had a perfectly pleasant last swim together, (the Ocho is still on week one of her training program) but she's pretty sure that the hotty lifeguard got a pretty good show of her threadbare backside as HP08 hauled herself out of the far side of the pool. Oh well...at least the Speedo got to go out in style. Nothin' but class, ladies, nothing but class.

Back in the Paddle Again

2007-01-30T09:49:00.000-05:00

Hello Hotpants one and all! It has been a long, long time and the Ocho apologizes for her lack in blogging commitment. Don't worry, though, because she's back, Baby! And back in more ways that one... That's right, the Ocho hit the pool last night for the first time in...umm...7 months. Some of you may remember HP08's last swimming adventure, but if not, here is a reminder:

(Posting this photo was a self imposed punishment for HP08's lack in blogging lately.)

So, after the trauma of the Bath County swim, the Ocho decided to hang up her goggles for a "while" and stay away from the pool. A while turned in to 7 months. However, the time has come to strap those goggles back on, pull that swim cap over her head and jump back in to the pool with large, plaid speedo man. She tried to remember all of the lessons that HP04 gave her but she is definitely a bit rusty. It really made her miss HP03 since that's who the Ocho always called and cried to after she decided that she was the worst swimmer in the whole world and that she was just going to sink to the bottom of the lake in Bath County.
But HP08 has digressed...Why is it time now the time to hit the pool the HPs may wonder? Well here is why...HP08 is training for her very first triathlon. OK, so it isn't really a "full" triathlon and the real triatheletes that are reading this may snicker, but it's a place to start and you always have to start somewhere. On March 4th, the Ocho will be participating in the Centerville, VA Life Time Fitness Indoor Triathlon. It goes something like this...you jump in the pool and swim your heart out for 10 minutes, then you get out of the pool and peddle, peddle, peddle on the bike for 30 minutes. After the bike, you head to the treadmill and run like crazy for 20 minutes. Your score is based on your total distance covered in each of the three legs. The real appeal of this event for HP08, other than forcing her to recommit to her pool training, is the fact that the Ocho can get the feel for what a triathlon is like even though she still doesn't have a bike. So, there it is. HP08's first "triathlon." We'll see what happens.
In closing, HP08 will leave you all with some thoughts about locker room etiquette. First, just because you can walk around naked in the locker you doesn't mean that you have to. And! Just because your husband/boyfriend/lovah says that you're sexy when your strolling around with nothing but a towel on your head, it doesn't mean the rest of us want to see it. Second, if you leave a giant hairball in the drain of the shower after you've finished your shower, clean it out. It makes people want to vomit. Third, don't let your children run around and throw basketballs back and forth while people are trying to get dressed. It's annoying. And finally, if you happen to be given the locker right next to mine by the front desk people, it's not my fault so stop being a bitch about how I'm in your way.
So, there it is...the first of many posts to come for the Ocho. Now everyone else get on the bandwagon!!!

-Ocho Out

Me love you long time....

2007-01-26T11:30:00.000-05:00

As many of you may know HP03 has left the OT crew and moved back to the beautiful state of NH - joining the ranks of the out of town HPs. Upon arriving home faced with the notion of 6 week of doing nothing before her new position started she decided to take off for SE Asia of the trip of a lifetime. Persuaded by promises of white beaches and beautiful temples HP04 met up with 02 in Bangkok (sadly i got in too late to make it to a ping pong show), headed to Koh Samui for 4 days and then to Siem Reap Cambodia for another 4 days. Here we are at the beach in Thailand. (ahem - please note HP04's tan. Alright its more of a burn but whatever its not pasty white!!) HP04 has been back a little under a week and already misses the entertaining antics of HP03; (Not to mention returning to an office without spontaneous robot, dancing and talk of unicorns in meetings) but I'm keeping up to date on her travels. HP03 has now left Cambodia and is traipsing through Vietnam. In a recent email she said she's having a great time but misses the HPs, and thinks the lack of blogging is total crap.

So, HPs I'm relaying the message. We've been called out on our laziness from Vietnam. (HP03 tried to log in but couldn't get in at the internet cafe). So let's here it! What's going on in your lives? Who are you dating? Not dating? (this would probably be the category my dating life falls into) Who's going to the gym? I'm not but plan on starting next week!! What's going on ?!??!?! Come on...who else gives us pictures like this?????

ps - can we please get a post (with photo preferably) of the arrival of our miniHP?!?!??!?!

With Gratitude and Love in My Heart

2006-11-27T19:37:00.000-05:00

Well HP02 has so many things to report...after the gentle yet pointed reminder from HP01, it was realized that its been, well a while since HP02 has posted a report on her training, her life. Which puts some pressure on the first post back.
So here it goes...

First of all, THANK YOU to all who came along on the epic birthday camping trip! HP01, HP10 and Senior Diez, HotPantsNickie and Senior HPNickie, HotPantsBB and most importantly, HOtPantsHawkEye, TunaBoatHotPants and HPRoxie: thanks to all for an epic weekend! It was almost 2 weeks ago when HP01 and 02 took off after lunch on a Friday afternoon, destination: beach! HotPantsBB and HPHawkEye came later that evening, and we had the best hamburgers of our lives (thanks to HP01), followed by many beers and vodka. Unfortunatly for HP02 the mix proved disagreeable, and...well lets just say that someone may or may not have gotten sick. On her friend. And that someone may or may not have been the birthday girl. DANG IT!

The next day everyone else showed up, and we had perfect beach weather! We played with the puppy on the beach, ate cheetos and read hollywood gossip magazines ALL DAY LONG. It was spectacular. That evening HP01 grilled her best ever, with Argentinian sausages, followed by her world famous short ribs. And the Alaskans surprised us with a huge salmon that Senor Diez caught himself in Alaska this summer!! Spectacular. The only thing cooler than the cook-out was the humongo blaze that Senior Diez masterminded. It was an epic birthday, indeed.

Then Sunday we woke up to cloudy skies and Senior Diez making breakfast! We dined on scrambled eggs with moose sausage- how cool is that?? We had just finished our breakfast when it began to rain, and so we broke up camp with record speed. Such
record speed, in fact, that we forgot to lock the bikes on the back of HP01's car...

So we are flying down the road after having stopped to fuel up and get something to eat, when HP01 notices that she cant see the second bike on the back of the car from her mirror. The car comes to an immediate stop and HP02 jumps out on the side of
the freeway to discover her beloved mountain bike, Fernando, is completely gone. GONE!! After much hypothosizing, it was deduced that the bike must have been stolen at the gas station. Which leads me to my next tribute...

HP02 is humbled, honored and thankful to all the HPs and good friends who contributed to Fernando's replacement. In addition to being her only mountain bike, Fernando was her commuting vehicle of choice. He will be sorely missed, but on the other hand HP02 is giddy with the prospect of finding a replacement at REI! Thank you, you guys, for taking the sting out an otherwise acute and unfortunate loss.

This is a long post...but the training update will be short and sweet. HP02 is shamefully coming clean. This Sunday has been the first time in 2 months that she has gotten on the roadbike (the former Ricardo- name currently under reconsideration). To be honest, she forgot how to clip in and out of the pedals and nearly fell the first time. After a few laps around the neighborhood, however, it was off to Bethesda on the Capitol Crescent Trail. 15 miles RT, and the buns are aching today! It must be admitted, however, that once on the trail it felt damn good being back. Next year's goal is to complete the full triathlon solo, so its time to get back to it!!

Oh No Now I, I will Survive

2006-11-01T09:50:00.000-05:00

Ladies and ladies, HP08 is proud to announce that she and Senor Ocho did in fact finish the Marine Corps Marathon on Sunday in a time of 5 hours and 15 minutes, a pace of 12 minutes a mile. This was a bit slower than they had hoped for, but the ridiculous headwinds, some crampy legs and a pucky stomach didn't really help them out with that. All in all, the Ochos finished and that's all that really matters. HP08 would really like to thank HP01, HP02, HP03 and HP04 for spending the whole day chasing the Ochos around on their bikes. You ladies have no idea how helpful you were. Every time HP08 and Senor Ocho saw you, they felt the need to start running again even if they thought they were going to die. The HPs are probably responsible for cutting down their finishing time by half an hour. :) Seriously, though, nothing helps more that a good cheering section. Searching for the ladies and the family Ocho in the crowd was an excellent distraction and nothing can beat your friends and family showing their faith in you, especially when you’re losing it in yourself. Also, HP08 would like to thank all of the HPs for being her courage, support and inspiration over the last year. She really could never have done it without you. Ladies, you all have been a rock for the Ocho to lean on and each of you have contributed to the Ocho's effort in your own individual ways.
Here are some of the highlight photos with one final thought…HP08 would like to add that there are few things more satisfying in the world than setting a long term goal and achieving it, especially when 5 years ago she, and probably no one else in the world, would have thought she could do it. Many of the other HPs may have already experienced this feeling, but this was a first for HP08 and it was a good one. :)

The Ochos one mile in.

Papa Ocho and Sister Ocho cheering on the Ochos with an old family slogan

Coming out of hell/Hanes Point

The Ochos after their journey

Two Infinity and Beyond

2006-10-27T10:09:00.000-05:00

So here we are...2 days until the marathon. Is the Ocho nervous? Yes, yes she is. However, she is feeling pretty good. It may be all in her head, but she's been taking Glucosamine for a couple of weeks now and it seems to be helping my knee. (There was suppose to be a photo of a bottle of Glucosamine here, but the blog wouldn't allow me to upload it.) Either way, for those of you that aren't familiar with Glucosamine, here is a little blurb from the Arthritis and Glucosomine Information Center:
Hundreds of thousands of people have used Glucosamine, and many have found it extremely effective to not only effectively ease their arthritis-related joint pain, but to also to provide them with far more than just long lasting relief. Glucosamine has been shown in clinical studies to regrow cartilage3, slow the progression of joint deterioration, and possibly even modify the disease itself with almost no side effects.
Ok, so the Ocho doesn't actually have arthritis, but she does have some joint pain. Both of the Ochos have been popping the Glucosomine and icing down their knees hoping for as little trouble with the IT band as possible on Sunday.
In other news, the HP08 has picked out her outfit for the big race day. She will start out in this:

Hp08 will also have gloves and a ear muff thing at the beginning. About 3-5 miles in, she'll take the shirt off and have the tankini on:

Either way, I'll still be wearing the 3/4 length pants and a yellow bandana in my hair.

Ok, well here it is...my last pre-marathon blog. The Parents Ocho just arrived in town and are waiting in the office. Wish the Ochos luck! And thank you so much to everyone in advance that may be coming out to cheer them on! Here's hoping for good weather, good health and the wind at our backs...

Oh, No, He Didn't!

2006-10-26T11:18:00.000-05:00

http://www.wonkette.com/politics/george-allen/george-allen-bad-for-bicyclists-bad-for-virginia-210294.php

Four the Love of God

2006-10-25T10:53:00.000-05:00

Well here we are, only 4 days left and feeling pretty good. Senor Ocho and HP08 did their second to last run this morning. A brisk, I mean BRISK, 3 mile jaunt through scenic Anacostia. It was FREAKIN' FREEZING OUT! Come on! What is with this weather?!? Seriously...what happened to Fall? These runs are making HP08 think of the Ochos winter long training session for the Cherry Blossom 10 miler. She even tried to find her ugly knit pink hate that she used to wear on the coldest of cold days. It is HOT-T-T. Maybe God is trying to make the Ocho nostalgic for the days when HP08 and Senor Ocho were excited about their marathon prospects. At this point, though, the Ocho is kind of just ready for all of this running to be done for a while. In the mean time, however, it's run Ocho run...except for on Thursday and Saturday…those are rest days.

9 to 5 What a Way to Make a Living

2006-10-24T14:11:00.000-05:00

So, here's the update since HP08's post at the 9 days mark: The nightmares have stopped. No more dreams about not being allowed to run or forgetting equipment. In a real life nightmare, though, the Ochos haven't really figured out what they're going to do with their goos and waters and such the day of the actual race, but they'll probably figure that out in the next few days. Neither of them really want to wear their fuel belts during the race, but they don't really see a way around that. The belts are pretty heavy when full, but they also provide their only means of storage. They'll probably disperse their goos and such to their various race viewers while keeping enough on themselves to survive. They’ll probably only fill a few of the bottles on the belt to try and avoid the weight issues. They love the fuel belts, but it would definitely be nice to not be dragging the extra baggage around.

Now that the Ochos only have two runs left before the big day, HP08 is actually getting a little nostalgic for their weekly running schedulers. It may have something to do with the fact that the Ochos have been doing this running weekly for about half of their relationship, but HP08 can safely say that she is not completely dreading tomorrow morning's 3 miler. One more on Friday but otherwise the focus is on rest this week.

Oh, and the Ocho can't wait to be done with this thing so she can go out boozing with the HPs again. :)

6 degrees of seperation

2006-10-23T14:35:00.000-05:00

It's Monday, Monday, Monday and in six days it will be Sunday, Sunday, Sunday!
HP08 and Senor Ocho did their last "long" run this weekend going back to the heart of their training program, the National Mall. They did 7 miles at a decent clip and then the Ocho iced down her entire body, more specifically both of her knees. On Sunday each of the Ochos started their marathon diet too. Essentially this means that they eat a balanced diet and a lot of it. So far today, the Ocho has had:
2 boiled eggs
1 bagel w/ light cream cheese
1 apple
1 large salad with lettuce, tomatoes, feta, tuna and olives
1 bag of animal crackers
Tonight will be chicken with pasta and sauce with some green beans or broccoli on the side.
Yes, it's kind of gross. (For the good of the children, I won't list what I ate yesterday.)

The Ochos can hardly believe that this thing is a mere 6 days away. It seems like a lifetime since they started training, but somewhere in the back of her mind HP08 probably never really believed they were going to do it. Now it's less than a week away!!!

Until next time, here are a few photos the Ocho took this weekend. Enjoy the Fall!

Running to Stand Still

2006-10-20T13:28:00.000-05:00

Ok ladies, here's the deal. The Ocho is starting to go in to complete crazy person, freak out mode. HP08 had another dream about the marathon last night. This one involved running and running and never actually reaching the starting line and then suddenly, as the starting line is supposedly approaching, she realizes that she forgot to pick up her number the day before at the Armory. Past dreams have included being told that the Ocho is not physically ready for the marathon and not being allowed to run, being told that her number is too high and they've run out of space to let people run and getting horribly sick the morning of the race. So yeah, total crazy person.

In other news, HP08 ran 3 miles last night. She did it at a pretty good clip because she just wanted to be done with it. Unfortunately, it appears that a lot of the Ocho's running is turning in to a mission to be done with all of this craziness. Tomorrow morning HP08 and Senor Ocho run 7 miles and that's their last big run before the marathon. Next week the Ochos will be doing some shorter runs, but they'll also have more rest days in prep for the big day.

9 days until the marathon!

Steppin'

2006-10-18T09:02:00.000-05:00

Steppin' up
Ok Ladies, the marathon is a week from Sunday. That's right, just 11 short days until HP08 and Senor Ocho take off on the longest trek of their lives. Did you know that the first Greek man to run a marathon crossed the finish line and promptly died? Yeah, that's right, death. That's what we're facing here people!
The Ochos have spent the last week or so doing their regular runs and making sure to get their walking in too. HP08 went to the grocery store last night and loaded up on the healthy foods including plenty of protein and vegetables. The IT band is feeling MUCH better, and HP08 barely felt it on her 3 mile run in the rain last night. So, physically the Ocho is doing pretty well. She just needs to prepare mentally now. We're definitely in the home stretch and the Ocho is starting to get pretty nervous.

Are you Steppin'?
The Ochos are hoping that all of the HPs are going to be able to come out and cheer them on during the marathon. For HP08 especially, the cheering and encouragement makes all the difference in the world. The Ocho understands that the 29th is HP04's birthday, though, so hung-over cheering is fine too. :)

Steppin' in to the Ring
Well some of you already know this, but the Ochos got engaged on Friday night. Senor Ocho did an excellent job with both the proposal and the ring and HP08 was completely surprised. Both of the Ochos learning to say "fiancé" and getting used to concept of being together For-ev-er. The Ocho has already bought her first two bridal magazines, but was not willing to lay down the $10 for the nice ones so she got the $6 ones. Everyone, including the family Ocho, is very excited and looking forward to possibly a Christmas wedding in AZ.

(Senor Ocho and HP08 on their West Wing tour the morning after the proposal. )

(The ring in the Rose Garden)

Step-Step
Finally, we'll end this "steppin'" themed post with a shout out to good ol' Salt and Pepa:

All you gotta do is just step-step
Me and you, we're through so just step-step
All you gotta do is just step-step
I hate to be ya