Uh Oh!

I was planning on just throwing on a pair of jeans & coming to work today, but the jeans were tight.  Very tight!  That's from the 10,000 calorie Christmas Extravaganza!  But not to worry, I have gone back to the gym & planning on starting my 70.3 training a week early.  January 1st was going to be my big day, but forget it.  It started December 26th.

I'm sure I'm not the only one that wants to slim down in 2010.  You know how I know this?  Because there were 1,000 new people at the gym on Saturday.  They must be trying out their new gym memberships.  Ugh, I have to tell you, I hate January newbies.  & listen, I am all for getting in shape, and I would encourage anyone to do so, but I really hate when people get all psyched to join, then clog up all the gym equipment & then quit February 1st.  Last year I remember actually having to sign up for a treadmill & wait my turn.  That's not really convenient when you have an entire workout plan to get through. 

Yesterday spin class was packed, not one free bike.  Which is fine because I'd have to say that Wendy's class (Sunday 9:15 am & Tuesday 6 pm) is always packed.  I listed the times in case anyone would like to join me.  It's a great class w/ great music & she always seems to run over & you get an extra few minutes in the class.  This class has the newer Keiser bikes, which are much better than the old "turn the knob" spin bikes that they still have in Red Bank.  But don't tell the Red Bank TACers that, ho-ly - I learned that the hard way.

Thanks for listening to all my rants, pet peeves and complaints this year.  Stay tuned, I am sure 2010 will bring an entire new slew of issues!!!!  Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas!

As 2009 comes screeching to a halt, in comes 2010.  A new decade!  I didn't even realize that until I logged on to the computer the other day at work & it said the decade in review.  Wow, an entire decade & nothing to show for it.  I think I need to plan ahead for this decade.  I can't imagine looking back in 2019 & thinking that I didn't do anything in that decade either.  So in case anyone is interested (& still reading this blog) I'm planning on some New Years Resolutions.   Lets see how many I can actually keep & or accomplish.

1.  Train hard for my first 70.3 triathlon in August.
2.  Try hard to get that flat stomach that eluded me in 2009.
3.  Be a better saver, stop wasting money!
4.  Declutter
5.  Buy a new house - need more space & Louie needs a backyard.

OK, so it would be a lot to even try to keep one of these Resolutions, but I'm a multitasker!!  To all my friends out there, feel free to keep me honest.  Don't let me fall off the wagon!  If I can keep one of my resolutions, then it should be #1.  Big time training for the big time event.  Wish me luck.

Merry Christmas!

SNOW!

Too much snow & the gym is closed today.  I should have gone to the gym yesterday, but it was snowing & I wasn't sure how late they would be open & I was certain that it would be open today.  Maybe I'll call them later & make sure they're open.  I can't be the only nut that wants to workout.

I can't believe how much snow we got.  & it's pretty chilly out, so it doesn't look like it will be melting before Christmas.  Now, my friend Suzanne is probably out running around in her underwear making snow angels right about now (think snow nut), but I personally hate snow!  How many days til Summer?  Is anyone counting?  I think we should start a countdown.  Yeah yeah I get the whole White Christmas thing, but a light dusting on Christmas I'm ok with.  A foot of snow on the weekend?  Ugh.  At least I don't have to work today.

I suppose there is some kind of snow workout I can be doing, but I guess I'm just going to stay in the house with my hot cocoa (thanks Mom for getting me the fancy kind from Williams Sonoma - not just the powdery Swiss Miss) and my marshmallows & watch some football today.

Tomorrow I'm going to do a brick workout at the gym.  3 mile run then the lame 45 minute spin class.  I really prefer the other spin class on Sunday mornings and Tuesday nights, but I've been busy running around & haven't had the time to get to the other class.  Gotta get a lot of gym time in this week - lots of calories coming up.

Off to take some pictures of the snow.  Will post some later!

246 Days

246 Days til Winnipesaukee.

I was considering taking a picture of myself every month (around the first of the month) to see any changes.  I am seriously going to buckle down & train really hard.  70.3 miles is a lot of miles.  I know I can drive that far in a day, but can I seriously move my body in the water, out of the water, on the bike & through the run?  We'll see in 8 months!

I'm also considering a duathlon in May.  The details are a little scattered right now.  It seems that there may be 2 distances in this event.  A long & short course.  I think that I should start seriously considering doing the long courses in my events leading up to NH.  Oh well...only time will tell how strong I get this year.  2 weeks left to go in 2009, then the serious training begins.  2010 brings in an entire new decade with lots of new goals!

& bah humbug to all you naysayers out there that say I can't do it.   Merry Christmas!

Slacker

Since I started working out on a more consistent basis & training (somewhat) for next year, I have been looking through a few of the other blogs that I read & that's when I get depressed.  Sure, I read one blog for a guy that is training for the 2012 Olympics.  Inspirational, yes.  Can I relate to it, um, yeah....NO! 

I'm a beginner.  If there was something lower than a beginner, I'd consider myself that.  Seriously, I did finish 3 sprint triathlons, but now I have to move on to Olympic tris next year if I want to seriously consider even coming close to finishing a 70.3 in NH.

Reading through other's blogs has helped, but I am wondering if I am doing something wrong, is there more that I can be doing?  Am I strong enough?  Do I need more motivation?  This is the wrong time of year to be dieting, didn't I say that last week?  At least I have cut my 4 dinners this week down to 2.  Tonight it is homemade stuffed veggie peppers for dinner.  That should balance out the 7 course meal we had last night at the Fromagerie is Rumson.  SWANKY!

For now I will keep up the workouts & try to add new things into my routine just to keep from burning out or getting bored.  My knee is still a little wobbly, so that means more pool time, but it's not the swimming I need to improve, it's the running.  At least I have a lot of reading to do while I rest up.  January starts the serious training.  Hey, it's only 21 days away!

Food!

I just realized that I am supposed to go out to eat 4 times this week.  That's about 3 times too many, but I have a lot of holiday plans.  Also, I think that I sprained/strained one of the ligaments in my knee.  Google has directed me to my MCL, and all the symptoms point to that being the root of my knee pain.  CRAP!  Not good.   That means more hours in the pool this week, which is fine, except for the straw hair I will have by Friday afternoon.  I suppose I can do some weight training too.  No knees though! 

& it's not that I don't want to go out to eat, I do, but this is a terrible time of year, lots of great food & friends & it's hard to just sit there & be like I'm on a diet.  Wednesday I'm going to the Fromagerie with the girls, delicious!  Friday I'm going to Cuba in NYC with Jenn, Saturday out for Japanese with Carolyn & Ailish & Sunday family dinner.  Wow, that's going to mean a lot of workout time.  Can you say 1 meal a day.

At least I will have a lot to do in January when it comes time to really buckle down.  Ho hum. 

Friday Night Workouts

I've been a slacker this week.  Only have been to the gym twice.  Bad!  I am going tonight, going to try to get in a 4-5 mile run. 

It's getting colder & I really need to ramp up some workouts before snow lands on the ground.  I think I will make it up to Middletown tomorrow and do some trail running, but not too much because I am still working on a little bit of a sore hamstring.  Can you say chronic hamstring pain?

I have a copy of the Asbury Park 1/2 Marathon training sign up form on my desk.  I am on the fence.  I really would like to sign up, but am I interested in paying $120 to run outside for 16 weeks in the winter?  I think I'm going to take my friend Katie's advice & look into the FREE plan that she did.  She ran the Philadelphia 1/2 Marathon this summer, so I think I'm going to start bugging her for some tips.

Have a great weekend!

2,000 meters = 1.25 miles

OK it's really 1.24274138 miles, but I am rounding up!

I got back in the pool tonight.  Surprisingly, it was the easiest swim I have done in a really long time.  Perhaps all this cardio is helping in other aspects of my training.  Nah, can't be!  It was easy.  The hardest part is counting all those laps.  But if you count hundreds, you only have to count up to 20.  Even I can do that.

Check back tomorrow to see how I feel.  I may not be able to lift my arms.

Finished!

Yesterday was race day.  I was really nervous.  Chris & I started the race with his fancy GPS watch that I like to call the WOPR (think War Games 1984).  It really is neat.  The more I told my mother about it yesterday, the more I was thinking, I need to get me a pink one!  It really helped us pace ourselves.  My goal was to finish in less than an hour.  57:09 was my time.  I was psyched!

Do I care that 600 people finished before me?  No.  I'm not in it to win it, I'm in it to finish & I ran the entire race, no stopping & no walking.  Not even at the water stop.  That is a huge accomplishment for me. I never thought I could finish it & honestly, if it wasn't for Chris telling me we weren't going to walk, or if I had to run the race myself, I probably would have walked some.  So thanks!!!!

Next thing on the to do list is to sign up for the 16 week 1/2 marathon training program.  It will get me ready for the Asbury Park 1/2 Marathon in April.  Yeah, crazy.  OK off to pilates!  Maybe I can stretch out my super sore legs, back & knees!!!!!!

Gobble Gobble!

Wow!  Thanksgiving is almost over & I stuffed myself.  Lots of tasty desserts!  Sweets are my downfall.

Tomorrow I am running the Born to Run 5 miler in Freehold.  I hear it might rain.  I even tried to find rain ponchos for the run.  Looks like I will be garbage bagging it!  Ha ha.  Nice!  I'm a little nervous, as this is my first 5 mile race, but I am looking forward to it.  Last night I went to the gym & ran on the treadmill, I felt great after, so I'm hoping that I can make it the whole run without stopping to walk at all.  I think the rain will motivate me to finish - I hate being wet!  Need to remember to bring a hat.

Saturday I am going down to Cycles 54 to check out some bike gear.  I really have nothing to wear, no equipment that is fitted for me & really no clue on how to change a tire or fix my bike in any way.  I don't feel comfortable in knowing that if I get a flat - that I can't fix it.  I think I should, at the very least, be able to change a flat.  Sunday Sue & I are going to ride out to Sandy Hook, hoping to get in at least 20 miles.

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving!  Gobble Gobble!

Huber Woods

Went for a 4 mile walk/run through Huber Woods today.  It was about 50 degrees, so I had to take advantage of the nice weather.  In the past, I had limited myself to running the boardwalk or running at Meadow Ridge Park, but I have been wanting to run the dirt roads in Middletown.  They're pretty hilly & that makes for a great workout.  I did walk a bit, just to get the lay of the area, since this was my first time running up there.  The roads are still in pretty good shape, no potholes & not muddy at all!

I made it out to Cooper Road & ran a little down there & then up the hill to the top to overlook the valley, what a great view!  I did see a dead deer on the side of the road, gross!  At first I thought it was a goat, but then I thought how would a goat get out here?  On the way back I confirmed it was a deer, gross again!

I found this picture online of Huber Woods.  I think I may invest in a tiny digital camera that I can stuff in my pocket for when I run.  The view & the scenery was so nice!

After my run, I went over to Whole Paycheck (Foods) and got some stuff for some beef stew.  I think it's almost done, so I'm off to go try some!

Sunday Run

I think an outdoor run is in order tomorrow.  Or maybe a bike ride out to Meadow Ridge park or up to Middletown to run the trails in Huber Woods.  I think I need to step it up on the outdoor portion of my workouts.

My calves were so sore the other night.  I went to the gym 4 times this week.  I know that I should have gotten one more workout in, but Thursday night I was just too sore and Friday nights are always hard to squeeze anything in.  Maybe if I didn't sleep all day today I would have made time for a workout.  Oh well, that's what Sunday is for.  Have to step it up this week!  Hmm...I think I wrote that last week!

Christmas

Only 35 more days left to shop for Christmas.  I've been thinking about stuff that I want for Christmas, but am I getting too old to  have a list?  Since I just received a list from my sister, I'd say no way!  Here are some items I think will help me out (training wise).

New sneakers!  I have 3 pairs of running sneakers now, all in different stages of deterioration.  I do love them all, but they are all getting a little too decrepit.  A gift certificate to the running store would be great!

Maybe a northface jacket?  Or a nice jacket that I can run outside in when it's cold. Something tells me I need to get out there in the elements & start running outside on a more consistent basis.
Oh & we can't forget the waterproof mp3 player for the pool.  I figure if I blog enough about that my mom will finally order me the pink one from Speedo!  Ha ha!

Half Mile Swim

I have a confession.  I have not swam since my last sprint triathlon in September.  BAD!  Last night I did a quick 1/2 mile swim.  It felt great.  I did leave my earplugs at home.  I should say earplug, as it seems I only need one in my right ear.  It's a little tender today, and I'm hoping it doesn't get worse.  I do have some drops that I got from the doctor, maybe I'll remember to put some in later.

I did find an interesting blog today on the USAT website.  It's about a triathlete named Oman Nour & his training leading up to the London 2012 Olympics.  It's pretty cool & you can find him on Facebook too.  Who isn't on facebook?!?!

My other fan page I like to read is Matt Long's.  He is also on Facebook.  A former NYC Firefighter who was injured while on his way to work during NYC's transit strike.  His story & his foundation are truly inspirational.  www.iwillfoundation.com  Check it out!

OK enough being lazy, I am off to the gym!

Shoe Contest!

Now I know I probably have 2 people reading my blog, but this may entice more readers.  Starting now, and going until December 15th, anyone that emails me (and mentions my shoe blog) will be entered into a contest to win a shoe or shoe related item.

This can be any kind of shoe item.  You shouldn't be expecting to win a pair of designer shoes, but just something to thank you for checking out my blog.

You can enter every day if you like, just shoot me an email, or a comment!  It's just that easy.

Over the Knee Boots

I have a pair on today.

I know that these are probably a one season trendy fad, but I had to have them.  I am hoping to stretch them into next year, but hey, I did get them (thanks mom!) at a discount store, so I won't be so sad to see them go if they are not in season next year!

Still wish they were the CL's that I really wanted, but they are just too narrow for me.  Thankfully!

Born to Run 5 Miler

Day after Turkey Day.  November 27, 2009.

5 mile run through Freehold.  That should work off all the pumpkin mousse I plan on eating!

Wish me luck.  5 miles is the longest I've ever run in a race.  Will have to get a bunch of miles in this week.

Gobble gobble!

Motivation

I am lazy.  There are times when I would really rather sit on the couch than go to the gym.  But when I am home after work on days that I don't feel like going to the gym, I get anxiety about cheesing out on training for this 1/2 Ironman.  It's similar to the feeling you used to get when you'd cut class.  You knew you shouldn't do it, but it just felt good doing it, but you knew when you went back, there'd be some repercussions. 

I think it's the same with the gym.  Wednesday are usually my off days, but I have been going to Pilates on Wednesday & then not really going to the gym on Thursdays or Fridays.  That's bad.  I need to stick to a 5 day workout plan.  This Saturday I went to DMV to have my license renewed.  That was my excuse for not working out.  It's not really an excuse either, but see, there's the lazy part of me - something like going to DMV will curtail my workout schedule.

I need to find motivation again, but it's hard because winter is almost here & it's easy to go home & get into comfy clothes & veg out in front of the TV.  Last year I had my sister's wedding to motivate me to keep going to the gym....now I'm just going to have to stick to New Hampshire as my motivation.  Too bad we didn't sign up for the St. Croix 70.3, I think I'd be more motivated to go there.    :)

Oceanic Bridge

I decided to ride today instead of going to the gym.  There may not be too many more nice riding days out there.  I saw a bunch of others on bikes as well.  Most of them were going much faster than I was.  I tried to keep the pace at at least 15 mph for most of the ride.  I was happy to get up to 20 at one point, but I couldn't really maintain it.  All together I rode 12 miles.  I know I need to plan for at least 20-30 miles in a day, but I will have to sit down & plan out a route.

I went through Rumson, my usual way down River Road, but went over the Oceanic Bridge, which has seen better days.  It is literally falling into the Navesink one piece at a time.  My next stop was the stone church in Middletown.

This was about 6-7 miles from my house.  Then back over the Locust bridge and back into Rumson.  It was a pretty nice day & I'm glad I have a camera on my iPhone.  If it's nice next weekend, I would like to make it out to Sandy Hook.

Sunday Workouts

Off to the gym this morning, with no plan.  Maybe running, maybe some weight lifting, although, I haven't been motivated to get into the weight room.

Either way, I have to do something today.  Ate way too much yesterday & had some beers too.  I don't think that's on any 1/2 Ironman, 1/2 Marathon, 1/2 anything diet.  Maybe I should look into diet plans as well.

Happy Sunday!

Dogs!

My old bulldog Cicero, never so much as sniffed any of my shoes.  No, that's not true, one time he picked up one of my shoes when he was mad at me & trotted across the living room so I would see he had my shoe.  But that was just once.

My new bulldog Louie, well he loves shoes.  All kinds.  He has eaten at least 5 pairs.  2 pairs of sandals, a pair of flip flops as well as a pair of sneakers & some other junky shoes.  All shoes are now out of reach of Louie.  Sometimes, if I come home & have left a pair of running sneakers lying around, I will find them on his bed with the shoelaces pulled out.  He's a pretty ingenious dog.  Not only can he untie shoes, he can open zippered bags.  Interesting.

I'll have to keep hiding my shoes from Louie, although, it is a good excuse to go buy new ones.

Race Numbers

Do you save your race number?  I do.  I don't know why.  Probably because I am a semi-hoarder & never throw anything out.  I know that I can't reuse them & I have no future use for them.  Although, I did see a pretty sly individual after the Parker House race sneak into the Parker House with a race number from another race, just so he could get free beers.  Anyone with a race number on that day was entitled to free Miller Lites!  They were tasty, he was pretty smart now that I think about it.

I'd like to start a scrapbook some day of all my race stuff.  You know, to show that I did actually accomplish something in my life.  I have to find a good book for everything.  Right now they are just in a pile on my dresser collecting dust.

I'll have to get on that! 

Gear for 2010

There's a lot that I think I need for next year.  The most important thing I need is new running shoes!  Hopefully Santa will bring them to me.  I have 3 pairs that I rotate depending on where I'm running, is that crazy?  Maybe.  Some days I just feel like wearing different sneakers.  But they are getting kinda worn down, so it's time to start looking for a new pair.  I saw somewhere that if you donated an old pair, you got 10% off a new pair.  I'll have to figure out where that was.

Other stuff I need?  I secretly want my own bike, fitted for me, but I think that will probably come next year if I can save some money, yeah right!  What's that?  Saving?

I'm also thinking I should invest in some real workout clothes & running attire.  I wore a running shirt to the Tunnel run - I was shocked to see how it really kept the wetness away from my body.  & I was pretty wet from the rain!

My most ridiculous item that I want?  The underwater Speedo mp3 player.  I'm sorry, I wish I had invented this myself back in the 80s when I swam 100s til I died (an old swim coach joke).  Seriously people. lap swimming is not the most exciting way to pass your time.  All you have is yourself & your thoughts!  

If you guys can think of more stuff I need, let me know!  I'm always up for shopping.

Incline Training

I read an article about this the other day.  I really want one of the incline/treadmill machines, but when I went to look up how much they cost!  Woah!  I think it's about the same price as my entire gym membership for the year, maybe more.  Perhaps I will inquire at the Atlantic Club will get some of those machines in the future.  They look like fun.  I don't know if I have enough room in the basement for one anyway.  For the time being, I'll just have to ratchet up the incline on the regular treadmills, they seem to work the same.  Time for a new house! One day when I win the lottery wait til you see my fancy in home gym!  Ha ha.

I'm hoping that if I do keep up the incline training, it will help with all these hills I'm hearing about in New Hampshire!  Will keep everyone posted.

Don't forget to thank a Veteran today!

Shoe Frenzy

Make sure you check back in the coming days for my best pics of shoes!  Beth & I will be out scouting out some really great finds in the small city (Hoboken) tomorrow!

Can't wait to try some really great pairs on!

Tunnel to Towers Run

Many of you know that I ran this race back in September.  It is for a great cause for which I raised $1,000.  This run is to honor Firefighter Steven Siller, who parked his car in Red Hook Brooklyn that morning, gathered up his bunker gear & ran through the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel to the WTC.  He was killed along with 342 other firefighters that day.

It was probably the crappiest day to run.  It was cold, and rainy.  Now anyone that knows me knows that I would NEVER go out & run in the rain.  & honestly, I was going to not run that morning, but  I thought to myself - there is no way I can tell everyone who donated money that I bagged because it was raining.  The run was in honor of the firefighters killed on September 11th.  One of them was my friend, Gerard Dewan.  A little rain would be nothing in comparison to what happened to them. 

I got up early, and drove into Brooklyn with my trusty coach (haha I love calling him that) Mike.  We parked, picked up my race number & got ready to run.  There were easily 10,000-12,000 runners.  It was the biggest race I've ever seen, let alone run.  I have done 3 other 5ks, but they were so much smaller in comparison.  It wasn't raining that hard, more like a mist, but it was chilly!  At about 9 am, Mike left me to make sure he'd have a spot by the finish line.

As I walked around Coffey Park, by myself, I saw the thousands of other runners.  A huge number of cadets from West Point were doing calesthenics before the race, someone said there were 700 cadets.  That's huge!  There were also a lot of family members & friends of firefighters, I saw tons of memorial t-shirts for firefighters that were killed.  I think the most impressive people running were some of the firefighters that wore all their bunker gear, just as Steven Siller had done that day.  Bunker gear, if you don't know, weighs almost 100 lbs, it's a lot of weight!  There was also a big contingent from the London Fire Brigade, I ran with a pack of them, what a bunch! 

By the time the race started I was pretty soaked.  I had a running shirt & a t-shirt on over it, so most of the water was soaked up by the t-shirt.  I was so happy to get into the tunnel.  Dryness!  There was music playing over the tunnel PA system, which was good because I had left my iPod at home because I didn't want to get it wet. 

Running down into the tunnel was easy, it was downhill!  But coming out?  Not so easy.  I kept thinking oh I can stop and walk when I get out of the tunnel.  Um....as you come out of the tunnel, the route is lined with American Flags on one side & banners of each firefighter killed on 9/11, no way was I stopping!  I had to keep running.

I wasn't really sure where the finish line was, but people kept yelling, you're almost there, almost there!  OK, good to know!  I looped around towards the Hudson River & then back around to the WTC site, finally the finish line in sight.  It was a great race & I am glad I finished.  Thanks to everyone who supported me!  I'm gonna be hitting you up again next year!  & I'm going to start early - hoping to raise $2,000!

Knitting

OK so I have other hobbies.  Not too many, but a few.  I like to knit.  I've been doing it since I was a kid, when my mom taught use when we all had the chicken pox back when I was in 2nd grade.  I think that was 1980, wow 29 years ago!  But it wasn't until about 5 years ago that I decided that I was going to do it more often.  Right now I have about 30 projects going, all in different stages of completion.  My biggest projects that I have to get finished are Sue's mittens, Linda's daughter's blanket, a sweater for myself and a Christmas project, eek, that's less that 6 weeks away. 

It really is relaxing & easy to take on the road.  I hope to get all of this stuff finished before the end of the year.  Poor Sue, she has had cold fingers for over a year now!  Here's a few things I've knitted.  I can't decide what are my favorites.  There are things I love while I am knitting them, but then don't like once I'm finished.  Others, like my tank top, turn out to be a big hit!  I'm so glad I knit that one, maybe I can get another one done by next summer!

I knit this for Jimmy's grandson.   Well, I knit it a long long time ago, but finally had a baby boy to give it to!

This is Julia's sweater, please ignore the ends which hadn't been woven in at the time I took the pic.

& my neckwarmer, which I love, but haven't had a lot of chances to wear it!

So that's what I do when I'm not working out, but it's hard to get all of this stuff in!  I would have liked to knit last night, but made a promise to myself to get to bed early!  I hope to have a lot of these projects finished by the end of the year.  Hopefully!  It should be my New Year's Resolution - finish what you start!

& just in case you're wondering, here are 2 of my favorite yarn stores:

http://www.woolymonmouth.com/

http://www.purlsoho.com/

284 Days til New Hampshire

Not that I'm counting or anything!  I took a look over the course route.  Looks a little intimidating, but I am encouraged that there is a rest stop at every mile on the 13.1 run portion.  Here's the breakdown:

1.2 mile swim in Lake Winnipesaukee.  Friends tell me the lake is huge, almost ocean like.  & it's fresh water and will be about 75 degress.  Maybe I won't need a wetsuit.  It has to be cleaner than the Navesink.  Still, I will pack my earplugs.

56 mile bike course.  Hilly.  Have to get some practice in on hills.  But I live at sea level, this presents a problem.  & I have to get a CPSC approved helmet.  What the hell is that?  My crappy helmet is from Costco and it cost about $15.  Something tells me it's not approved by anyone!

Run course:  13.1 miles, but there is an aid station at every mile & a band!  That's good.  Maybe they have chairs where I can rest up & listen to the music.  Good to know I can stop at every mile for a snack & a drink too!

Gunstock TimberFEST - this seems to be the big party weekend.  We booked our rooms at some Inn in Meredith, NH.  I think it's close to the park.  I'm so new to this, but from what I understand I can get a GPS chip so that my friends & family can track my progress, yeah, watch the slowest moving blip on the GPS, that's me!  Anyway, it sounds like they have tons of things planned for the weekend starting Friday night.  Will have to stop at the NH liquor store where wine & liquor has no tax!  Load up before the long ride home too!

I wanted to post the map of the race, but I am not that savvy - so here's the link to the webpage if you want to check it out for yourself.  http://www.timbermantri.com/timber703.html

Sore Achilles Tendon

Every now & again I get a really sore pain in the back of my ankle.  Sometimes it happens when I run too far or go to the gym too many days in a row (haha that doesn't happen that often).  I had broken my ankle in about 3 places years ago & I do have a lot of soreness & poor range of motion as well.  It has held up & I even went to an orthopaedic surgeon last year to get an MRI &  x-rays to see what it looked like.  Surprisingly, it wasn't as bad as I thought.  I supposed most of the damage is to the tendons, as they never really stretched back into the right place, if that makes sense. 

I ran & walked about 4 miles yesterday in Spring Lake, it was a beautiful day, but today my ankle is a little sore & I think I'm just going to do the elipitical & go to spin class.  I don't think I should pound on it for a second day in a row.  I once tore my calf muscle playing tennis & that was scary enough.  I always have a fear that I will rupture my Achilles tendon because of the previous damage to my ankle.  I do have a brace, a few braces actually, so I will have to go dig one out tonight & put it in my gym bag!

Indian Summer

It's supposed to be 66 degrees today.  That's great for November.  This morning it was a bit chilly, around 44 degrees, so I opted not to run first thing in the morning.  I have to dig out some gloves & invest in a good running hat.  You know that old saying about how you lose like 40%  heat through your head, or something like that.  I have plenty of knit hats, but something tells me I should go over to the running store & see if they have something for running.  If not I have some hats I can wear & there's even one w/ a hole for my ponytail.  Ha ha.

Sooner or later I'm going to have to start running some hills.  I think New Hampshire is a lot more mountainous than NJ (ya think?) and from what I've been told, the course for the Timberman 70.3 is hilly.  I don't think running on the treadmill at a 1% incline is the same as the real deal.  One day this week, maybe Wednesday when I am off, I will go into Middletown & run some of the dirt roads, they are somewhat hilly & at least will give me some gauge of how I'm doing.

OK off to enjoy this great weather!

13.1 Long Branch Half Marathon

I received an email from one of my sorority sisters from college.  She recently signed up for the Long Branch half marathon & was wondering if I did too.  I am thinking that I should.  I know I'm not ready to run that far now, but I think by May I can really get a lot of mile of running under my belt.  It's really becoming easier for me to run, and I feel pretty good when I am finished my workouts.

I previously posted a 1/2 marathon training plan.  I think if is really as nice as they say it's going to be tomorrow I'm going to go out & run my 6 mile Sunday run that I used to do in the summer.  I start around 5th Avenue in Belmar & run to the end of Spring Lake & back.  Yes, there is some walking involved, but I can finally make it from one end of Spring Lake to the other without stopping.  It's about 2 miles.  There was a time that I couldn't make it from the gates in Spring Lake to the first pavilion without feeling like I was going to die.  & that is only a 1/4 of a mile!  Again, I'm not the best runner, but at least I have some stamina.

Thanks Maggie!  I'm definitely going to sign up!

Sinus headache

I think I'm sick.  Maybe a sinus infection.  I was going to go for a swim last night, then maybe a run today, but I am really feeling a little under the weather.  & I don't want to get worse.  Last year & the year before I got sick & it ended up as bronchitis.  I am fearful that if this keeps up my bronchitis will become chronic.  That would be bad.

Last year when I had bronchitis, I kept exercising, running 3 days a week.  I thought it was making me better, because when I ran, the coughing stopped.  But when I stopped running, back came the cough, full force.  People didn't really like that so much a the gym.  I joked that it was my tuberculosis cough.  I don't think people get my dry wit.  Clearly, I didn't have tuberculosis, I guess it's not really something to joke about. Whatever, lighten up people.

I am taking it easy today.  Went to work for a little while & then out to knit with the girls.  But I'm home now & planning this week's workout - it starts Sunday.  Have to step it up a bit, as I think last week was a little weak!

Metroman Asbury Park

In July 2009 I participated in my first triathlon.  I wasn't nervous until the night before.  I woke up in the middle of the night worrying about the swim portion of the race.  Which, when you think about it, is kinda silly.  I've been a swimmer all my life, you would think that would be the easiest part for me.  & it usually is, but it was in the ocean.  Where the fish & other creatures live.  Earlier in the Spring I swam a mile swim in the Navesink, that was a little weird too.  Not to mention that a day or two later I had a nasty ear infection, yuck!  Lap swimming in the pool is pretty straight forward, you swim to one end, do a flip turn & go back.  & in a pool, you can see everything.  In the river or ocean, you can see about 3 inches in front of your face.  & you're getting kicked & slapped the whole time. 

I was up super early, but of course felt like I was rushing around & late.  I had packed all my stuff, including my bike into the SUV, which wasn't very easy as this was before I had the bike rack.  & nothing irritates me more than not having things in the right place.  I may be messy, but it's messy organization!  I think I got down to Asbury Park around 6:45, I was worried that the transition area would close before I got my stuff in there.  When I took the bike out of the car Mike looked at me & said your tires are flat.  FLAT!  OMG!  I had a tiny air pump.  I had never seen valves on a bike like this either.  I was panicked.  I didn't know what to do or how I was going to get air in my tire.  We tried to pump it up & we thought it was good enough.  We wheeled the bike over into the transition area (yes, I know athletes only in the transition area, but come on, I was a newbie) and there was an entire tent devoted to checking bikes.  PHEW!  They took one look at my freshly pumped up tires & said - your tires are flat.  Who knew?  Ha ha.  So a few quick pumps with the fancy floor pump & I was as good as new.

Then back to the transition area.  Then off to find Doug for my Sandy Hookers shirt.  OK, got all my gear & now I'm back into the transition area for what feels like the 5th time.  & now I have my timing chip on & people are screaming at me "DO NOT WALK ACROSS THE MATS WITH YOUR TIMING CHIPS ON!!"  Huh?  Oh, that's me.  Yeah, I almost did it like 4 times.  Poor Mike, he was like, they're talking to you!  What a good coach he was!  Up at that early on a Sunday morning holding my peanut butter & jelly sandwich, but I digress.  So after I get my stuff into what seems like the most crowded spot ever I start to worry....wetsuit or no wetsuit?  Doug's wife says to me, you should swim w/ your wetsuit on, I always do.  OK, if you say so that's good enough for me.  Any advice at this point seems good.  I look around & at some point I see my friend from college Christie.  She's a pro at these triathlons, so I was relieved to see her.  Then I see my friend Chris & I'm starting to feel more at ease.

After the transition area closes we make our way down to the beach & the dreaded ocean swim.  After we start I try to relax & get into a swimming grove until I realize that everyone in my wave/age group has an orange cap on & guess what?  The bouys are orange.  Holy crap!  OK, lets just focus on the pack of people & the big bouy way far away.  After what seems like an eternity in the water, and no fish seen I may add, we exit & make it up off the beach & into the transition area.  Now I know I'm not going to win this thing & my main goal is to finish, so I take my time, eat my PB&J & wait for Chris to come out of the water. 

The bike part went great - I think it was about 12 miles through Deal to Lake Takanassee, it was a breeze & Chris & I passed a lot of people.  Back to the transition area & back to the boardwalk for a run.  The run was pretty good.  I definitely did lose steam at the end, but I made it!!!!  & it was the best 5k time I have ever done, so I was glad to cross the finish line & see my mom, Mike, Cathy, the brat & the beast waiting for me.  I even got a good slobbery kiss from the beast.  Bleck.  Somewhere there is a picture of me finishing.  I'll have to find it!

70.3

Ever see those Euros on the backs of cars with the number 70.3 on it?  I used to see them all the time.  Or the ones with 13.1 on them.  OK, so like everyone else, I googled it.  Yep, and wouldn't you know, now I am on my way to competing in a 1/2 Ironman.  It's 70.3 combined miles for those of you who might not know.  Well, you guys probably do know, but I didn't.  You start with a 1.2 miles swim, 56 mile bike & a 13.1 mile run.  Yikes 13.1!  A 1/2 marathon.  I'm not even going to entertain thinking about the Ironman Ironman.

But wait, we signed up for the Timberman 70.3 in New Hampshire.  Then I see this!  Yeah, I'm not so smart.

St. Croix Ironman 70.3
May 2, 2010
St. Croix, US Virgin Islands
http://www.stcroixtriathlon.com/
Registration Status:
   Accepting Applications

Corzine Out!

OK so this is not really workout related, but woo hoo!  Corzine just sucked as a Governor.  I didn't get a homestead rebate this year (yeah & a lot of other people too!)  I got back $1,100 last year & the year before.  That's money that I could have spent on a new triathlon bike or a triathlon suit, or a lot of other crazy stuff.  Come on!  Bring back the rebates!  & at least Chris Christie put people in jail.  I can't even think of one good thing that Corzine did while Governor.  Sorry to hear that the Red Bank Republicans lost by 8 votes.  8 votes! 

Wednesday is usually my Pilates day or my off day.  This Wednesday it will be my off day.  Making dinner for the birthday girl Carolyn, hope it comes out good, but then it is back to the workout schedule on Thursday afternoon with more Pilates.  I really like Pilates & I am hoping it is substituting some strength training, because I am really doing a lame job as far as strength training is concerned.  If anyone has some motivating tips, feel free to send them my way!  & please don't suggestion a handy workout app for my iPhone.  Haha.  See my previous post!

Tuesday night workout was pretty good.  I feel like a genius when I switch my workout up a little.  Like no one has ever thought about running AFTER doing the elliptical and the rowing machine.  Yeah, I should start my own training camp.  OK my fellow NJ Republicans, back to work!  & have a great day.  :)

One more thing - he hot water heater, which was supposedly fixed yesterday, is still broken.  No hot water again!  Greeeeeaaat.

iPod Workout of the Day Ap

This would be a great ap.  If it actually made you do it.

I even programmed it in my calendar to remind me every day at 5 pm to do the workout.  Yeah, that's not working either.  At least when it goes off I know it's 5 pm.  & At it even comes with a handy "save to favorites" button so you can save your favorite workouts.  So far I have saved 3, you know for the big day that I actually do the workout.  & a timer - it counts down 10 minutes for you.  Yes, that's how short the workout is.  10.  Minutes.  & I still don't do it.  Nice.

But the ap is awesome & I totally recommend it to anyone.  Anyone that WANTS to workout.  It even comes with a handy video showing you how to do certain exercises like thrust squats and dive bombers.  All sarcasm aside, I am glad I downloaded it.  & yes, I do plan on doing these exercises.  I do.  I do.  I do.

Flip Flop Day

Every Saturday will be flip flop day!  Be on the lookout for cool flip flops, we will!

I've recently seen a bunch of cool interchangeable flip flops.  Maybe some of you think flip flops are passe, but come on, everyone loves a good flip flop!

Stay tuned!

Lost Spin Shoes

I have no idea where I put my spin shoes.  I usually keep them in the car, but I know that they're not there.  Then I thought that they were in my room under my bed.  Nope, not there either, but I really didn't look too hard.  Not good!  Tuesday is usually my spin night too!  & I know this sounds so spin snobbish, but I don't like to wear my sneakers to spin now that I have spin shoes.  It really is a much different workout when you wear the clip-in shoes.  Looks like I'll be running today. 

My next big step is signing up for the Fireman Lake Placid Training Camp.  I was interested in the camp last year, but was really too much of a newbie to even think about going.  I think now I know a little more and have trained a little harder to entertain going to a camp.  I'd like to get some more people to go because I really don't want to be there all alone!  I'm sure there are lots of people going, but it still stinks to be the lone person.  But who wants to go away on a workout weekend?  Um....probably not any of my friends, that's for sure!  & it's in May or June, so I don't know why I'm in such a rush to sign up.....it's a long way away!  Maybe I will find my spin shoes by then.

Don't forget to vote today!

November Races & Swimming Gear

I had to sit down today & think about how I should train.  I'm sure there are many people out there who would disagree with my planning, but I have to learn from my mistakes too!  I have a few races I'd like to sign up for this fall/winter.  One of them is the Holy Cross Turkey Trot the Saturday before Thanksgiving. It's a 5 miler & I think may be a smaller race than the Manasquan Turkey Trot.  I think I can do it.  I do ok with the 5k's - I think it's time to ramp it up a little.  I ran tonight for a 1/2 an hour.  It was tough.  Sometimes after a small break from working out, it's like I am starting from zero again.  A little discouraging, but have to keep plugging away!

Next week I have to get back into the pool.  I've been kinda lazy about it since my last triathlon a few weeks ago.  Swimming is the easy part for me, but I have to do it.  One of my biggest challenges in the pool is the boredom factor.  I really want to buy the Speedo mp3 player.  I think that will help me pass the time.  I've always been that way, bored by swimming laps.  Interesting for someone that spent 1/2 her life in a pool.  Go figure.  My other big problem is I'd like to start doing the master swim workouts, but swimming requires me to take off my glasses.  Well, I can't see the itty bitty handwriting on the board against the wall. So either I get really good at memorizing the entire workout, or I just stick to what I know 100s til ya die.  :)

& looks like there will be no more pics from my Monday night rides at least until the spring, stupid Daylight Savings Time.

Biking in Maine

Kennebunkport Maine is one of the nicest weekend places to go.  There is so much to do there.  On Saturday we rented bikes & rode all over.  I think we did about 15 miles.  First we headed out to the beach to check out Walker's Point.  What a great view of the ocean!  I've always had a hard time trying to get any exercising in while vacationing, which is ridiculous because always see people jogging or riding bikes every place I've ever been.  We rented beach cruisers, so I think that made the workout a little harder, no gears.  & it's been a long time since I've had a bike where you had to pedal backwards to break.  Took a few minutes to get used to.

But we rode all along the beach and into Kennebunk Center.  A really nice ride along a Maine road - where people were getting ready for Halloween.  Unfortunately every place we stopped was loaded up with candy, seriously I have never seen this much candy in my life & I am a huge candy hog!  Biking on vacation is definitely worth it.  I wish I could have gotten a run in, but I was too busy feeding my face with candy!  Yes, candy is my downfall.  & we ate a lot too. 

I have to get back into the whole workout plan this week.  Tonight I plan on a 4 mile run and some biking or the eliptical.  I do want to try to figure out my Espresso ID number again.  I tried it a few months ago & think that I should get back into that again. 

I didn't really get all of my plan accomplished last week, but this week is a new week!  I looked at my calendar & found that I really have no plans so far this week, so I really should devote as much time possible to working towards my goal.  I figure if I can get as much workout time & strength training in prior to January, I will be on the right track towards working towards New Hampshire in August!

Just noticed this email in my inbox about a bunch of upcoming races.  I have to sit down this week & decide which ones I should do.  Here's the link if you want to check out the races & do some with me!  http://www.raceforum.com/  Decisions, decisions!

Who loves shoes?

OK so now that I am hooked on blogging, I have to devote one blog to my most favorite thing in the world, shoes! 

I secretly love love love shoes, ok it's no secret.  I could probably find a pair of shoes in every single shoe store I went in, even Payless.  Yes, Payless.  I have bought shoes there, and Macy's and Neiman Marcus, and Gucci and Manolo.  So what?  A shoe is a shoe.  Art for your feet. 

So here are the shoes I have on today.  My most favorite pair of loafers!

I guess I should think about how many different pairs of shoes I currently own.  Thanks to the brat, most of them are organized under my bed.  My one wish is to build a shoe closet in the messy small closet in my room.  Some day! 

Sandy Hookers

Back in February (I think February) when I sat down & started to think about how I was actually going to start training for triathlons, I got some good advice form friends & joined a triathlon group - the Sandy Hookers.  If you get the chance, check out their website.  They have links to tons of races & a lot of great information too.   http://www.sandyhookers.org/  So far I've met a lot of fun people & gotten great advice from my new friend Doug, whom I bother with stupid questions all the time.  He's really good to me & even fixed my bike, which Greg was so nice to give me!  Here's the pic of the bike:

It's quite patriotic!  & it's the right size for me too, which is amazing since I am so short.  It's pretty amusing when I go to spin class & I adjust the handlebars & the seat.  Sometimes I get a funny look like, that's pretty low.  Hey, I have short legs!

On top of all the new things I have been learning as far as fitness goes, there's even way more stuff to learn about the equipment.  The bike rack was pretty easy to figure out, but I'd really like to figure out how the bike works.  I learned pretty quickly that you need to know how to change a tire!  I knew something was wrong when I rode over the Rumson/Sea Bright bridge & I felt something weird with the tire.  Yeah, that would be the air rushing out.  But, there was really nothing that I could do even if I knew how to fix it because one of the spokes had punctured the tube.  See all the new things I'm learning!  Every day it's something new..........

Half Maraton Training Plan v. Half Ironman Training Plan

I started researching some plans.  First I found a few 1/2 Ironman Training Plans, then 1/2 Marathon Plans.  Mostly 5-6 day workout plans.  They seem very similar.  The running plans incorporate 2 days of cross training (biking/swimming).  This is perfect!  However, 6 days of working out just really isn't possible for me.  & no, this isn't me backing down from a challenge, but it's hard to fit all this into a day.  Some weeks I can do it, but I work full time & try to have somewhat of a social life.  As it is I haven't picked up my dry cleaning in a month, who has time to do all this?  Weekends are the best, as I really can do a 2 hour workout or brick workout.  Monday nights seem to be the most motivating for me.  Probably because I ate like a pig all weekend & have to get back to the gym to make myself feel less piggish!



WEEK 1 - 1/2 Marathon Training Plan

MON: 35 min moderate 13 mile bike ride - 50 minutes
TUE: 30-40 min XT  40 min run on the treadmill at the gym 3 miles (I think further, see previous blog entry)
WED: 40 min easy  tonight is pilates & a short run
THU: 30-40 min XT  Thursday is my off day this week!  Going to Maine!
FRI: Rest  More biking w/ Sue in Maine
SAT: 6 miles conversational  This is the hardest - maybe a 3-4 mile run in Maine
SUN: Rest - Yes, more rest!

WEEK 1 - 1/2 Ironman Training Program

MON:  Bike 60 mins
TUE:   Swim 45 min/Run 30 mins
WED:  Bike 90 mins
THU:  Swim 30 mins/Run 30 mins
FRI:  Bike 90 mins w/ hills
SAT:  Run 50 mins w/ hills
SUN:  OFF

This could prevent a bit of a challenge.  Deciding which plan will get me to my goal.  Either way, I think I have a good base.  I can do all these things so far.  I just need to get better at running.  Thanks for reading!  I'm off to Pilates.

Tuesday Night Workout

Well, I should have never posted my workout schedule for the week because I have not followed it at all.  Tonight I was planning on running then going to spin class, but didn't have enough time to do that & get poor Louie from daycare.  Here's Louie, look how tired he is from 12 hours of playing with the doggies.

He's one tired dog!  Anyway a 40 minute run was all I could get in tonight.  Tomorrow is definitely Pilates & maybe another quick run as well.  I have to talk to my friend Katie about her 1/2 marathon.  I need to know what she did to train for the event this past summer.  I will also have to start researching 1/2 marathon training plans.  Tonight the treadmill only said 3 miles, but I think that the pedometers on those things are so off!  When I run for 40-45 minutes outside on the boardwalk, I can definitely make 4 miles (thanks to the Gmaps pedometer & the handy GIS computer) so I am really skeptical of those treadmills.  Oh well.  Feel free to let me know what you think about that topic!

Monday Workout

OK so I went on my bike ride.  13 miles.  Not very far, but you have to start somewhere.  Yeah, when you start something, you should probably do it in the morning, not at 6 pm at night in the dark with no light on your bike.  Mental note, get flashy light for bike.  At least I had a white shirt on.

I was trying to incorporate a run into tonight's workout, but that didn't work.  Had to work late & then I knew that it would be dark on the last part of my ride.  So I will run tomorrow before spin class.

& here's something new.  On the top of my blog, if you click next blog, it takes you to someone else's blog.  Interesting.  My first click brought me to a nice pic of a winnebago (the entire site was in Spanish) which I should have saved that website to figure out what was going on.  2nd click?  Some pic of a Nazi pedophile.  I kid you not.

I took some pics on my bike ride through Rumson.  Since I am new to this, I hope you can see this one of Barley Point.  :)

Workout schedule for the week of 10/25 - 10/31

Sunday - 1 hour hike with Mike & Cym in Huber Woods.
Kinda tough, but I should try & run the trail.

Monday - bike/run
Should take that running class w/ Chris, but I have to work tonight.  Too many things to get out of here before I leave on Thursday.

Tuesday - spin
Wednesday - pilates
Thursday - off day - going to Maine
Friday - biking in Maine w/ Curly Sue
Saturday - run in Maine.  Must remember to bring sneakers

Hey people.  Any workout ideas will be greatly appreciated.  :)

October 2009

I started this blog a few months ago, but never wrote anything.  I guess I figured facebook could say it all for me.  & forget Twitter, it's so one dimensional. 

So now it's October 2009 & I  have to explain my reasoning for finally starting this blog back up again.  I have to hold myself accountable for this whole triathlon thing.  Back in the beginning of 2008 I started running.  April 2008 to be exact.  It was the only thing that I hadn't tried (in a long time) to help me lose weight.

I had run years and years and years ago (1997) & I think that is when I was my skinniest.  Dieting & random days at the gym wasn't working.  OK, so I am not the best runner.  I suck actually, but I am starting to understand what people (mainly real runners) mean when they refer to "runner's high."   It's true!  I do feel great after a workout!  Even a stinky run when I can't drag my butt up the boardwalk is better than nothing.

So after 8 months of running I thought to myself, what am I going to do now?  Am I going to just keep running?  Especially since I wasn't very good at it.  & then I thought I will sign up for a triathlon.  I seriously don't know how I thought of it, or what made me want to sign up.  But I did.  So now it's the end of 2009 & I did 3 sprint triathlons this summer.  One in July, August & September.  I'm not that great at them. Some parts better than others, but my goal this year was to just finish them.  & I did.

Next year is the big one. The 1/2 Ironman.  This winter will be devoted to getting stronger, faster!  & I guess I am starting the blog, to keep me honest.  A diary just seemed so 7th grade.   :)