Alcatraz!

I love a challenge!  Last night at the gym I saw my friend Doug.  He was super excited to tell me that he got into the Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon.  What?  What's that you say?  You're going to swim in shark infested waters with 2 ton sea lions?  Me too!  Me too!  How sick is that?  This is something that I definitely have to get in on. 

There is a lottery, which is closed for 2010.  Can I do 2011?  Maybe 2012.  California is a lot different than New Jersey.  They have hills & cliffs & aren't just at sea level!  I am definitely going to have to ramp up the fitness for this for sure!  I wonder how you would even being to train for something like this.  Lots of swimming I am guessing.  It's a 1.5 mile swim through the San Francisco Bay, 18 mile bike through the hills & area around Golden Gate Park & an 8 mile run.  I believe there's a 1 mile run from the water to the bike transition area as well.  The 8 mile run includes a run up these stairs:

Crazy, right?  I don't care.  My new motto is never stepping down from a challenge.  Not that anyone has challenged me lately, but that's not the point!  At least I think that's my new motto.  But who cares!  What else is a single girl to do?  As I near my 40th (gasp!) birthday I'm all about accomplishing goals.  Every year has to be bigger than the last!  This year it's my first 1/2 Ironman.  Next year?  Maybe Alcatraz, if I can get in.  The only thing that's going to hold me back is the damn Alcatraz lottery!

Six Months To Go

Six months seems like a long time from now, but I know that it has been 2 months since I signed up for New Hampshire & that time has flown by.  I swam last night, only 1,000 meters.  The pool smelled like a wet dog & I was cramped in by the water aerobics geriatrics.  OK, I know that is a little harsh, but they get 2/3rd of the pool & they all look like they are about to drown. Can't they have one lane instead of two? 

The problem was that I thought water aerobics ended at 7 pm, so I waited around to go to the gym.....but water aerobics started at 7 pm.  Great.  So much for planning.  But I did get in a quick swim.

Tonight I got in 3 miles, which brings my total to 7.25 miles.  Wow, only 12.75 more to go to reach my 20 miles for this week.  I have to plan for longer workouts, these short ones are supposed to only be once or twice a week.  Come on sun help me out here.  It's always so much easier to go for long runs outside!

At least I have skicross and figure skating to watch tonight.  The Olympics are coming to and end, which is sad because it's nice to watch all these sports in prime time.  Go USA!

Philadelphia - Broad Street Run

Yesterday I received an email from Lisa, one of my oldest friends (yeah, we're old!), wanting to know if I wanted to run the Broad Street Run in Philly in May.  Sounded interesting, but it's the same day as the Long Branch 1/2 Marathon.  But you know what?  Running a race with a friend is way better than running one alone, at least I think so!  It's a 10 miler & after reading the entry page, I'm signing up!

It's the biggest 10 mile race in the Country.  30,000 runners!  Now that's a lot of runners.  & it sounds like fun & again, I'm glad that I won't have to be running it by myself.  I just hope that I can keep up with Lisa because she can run a lot further than I can.  She's even run a marathon before, but that was a long long long long time ago.  Sorry Lis!  That was just me being funny.

I ran 4.25 miles today.  Yes, I count the quarters and halves of miles as well.  Whatever, it all adds up!  Last week was a little bit of a bust workout wise, so I have to get back in the groove.  Training is getting better, but I still haven't had the chance to make it to any of the Sandy Hooker swim clinics on Friday night.  I was going to go this past Friday, but I got caught up after work doing errands & running around.  Always some excuse to not workout, which is bad!

This week my goal is 20 miles in the running department.  I see that the snow is melting (not fast enough) & I am hoping that I can do my long run outside.  Wishful thinking!  Click on the link & check out the Philly race.  Hope to see you at the finish line!

Losing Everything

Today is Ash Wednesday & that means NO MEAT eating!  That's ok.  I can get by on some PB&J.  I actually remembered to eat breakfast this morning, which made me late for work.  No, I think the reason that I was late for work was that I cannot find my black boots.  I know that they are in the house somewhere, along with my blue iPod shuffle, which I had last night at the gym.  It's a good thing I have another pair of black boots, but I don't like these as much, what problems I have!!!!

I can't believe how many things I've misplaced lately.  I did however, recently come across an earring that I had lost last year.  It was in the door pocket in the Trailblazer & they must have found it when they detailed my car.  I wonder what kind of fun stuff car detailers find in people's cars.  I'm sure that's an interesting list of things.  The only bad part to the earring story is that I had gone out & bought the exact same pair to replace the ones I lost.  Hey, they were my favorite!  That's ok though, now I have a backup pair. 

But now I cannot find my iPod shuffle.  I did have it at the gym & I most likely put it back in my purse, but I was cleaning my purse this morning before work, hey wait maybe that's the reason I was late!  Anyway, now I'm missing the iPod.  I'm sure it will turn up.  I feel like a little kid sometimes, not being able to keep track of my things.  I know that I have a missing lipstick too, but I know where that is.  Now if I can only get a certain someone to clean out his truck, I know I will find it!

I'M IN!

Yep, that's right.  I got in to the Spring Lake 5.  OK, so it's probably not like getting in to some exclusive club, but I was worried & it is my first time running it, so sorry if I'm acting a bit too excited!

I ran the Hoboken Hot Chocolate 5k yesterday.  It was very cold, about 31 degrees along the Hudson River, maybe 34, but it wasn't too windy & the race was fun.  Of course the best part was the hot chocolate at the end!  I prefer that to drinking beer like with most post race parties.  I was a little nervous at first, but then I settled down & just told myself that I wasn't going to be the last finisher & that I could easily do this. My time wasn't that great, I think it was 31:52, so that's a little more than a 10 minute mile.  I can deal with that.  I really would have liked it to be under 30 minutes, but I am just going to have to keep working on that.  The course was a bit hilly towards the end, but I had to remind myself that's why I have these big thighs, so I can get up those hills & to the finish for some hot chocolate!

Yep, that's my race number.  I know I should have some fancy running clothes, but those pants are super comfy & lined.  I didn't want to wear my running tights, plus I couldn't find them.  Ha!  Also, if I had a little more outdoor running would have helped me a bit.  I should try to go out this week and get in a long run, but as I look outside I see even more snow falling.  Sigh.  At least I finished!  That's always my goal - finishing!  & here's proof!

Hope everyone had a great Valentine's Day!  I did!

Waiting Game

Last week I sent in my registration for the Spring Lake 5.  It's a big race.  Not as big as the Tunnel to Towers run that I ran in September, but close!  They close the race out at 9,500 runners.  I checked online yesterday & they had already had 7,000 entries.  I just hope that I get in.  After all this snow it will be a good kickoff to summer.  But until then I have to wait.

Last night I missed bootcamp by about 3 minutes.  I didn't get to the gym in time because I was busy loading up the iPod with some new cheesy music.  I did get in a 4 mile run, which is good, but I have to start pushing it a little further.  The problem with running on the treadmill is that it is so incredibly boring.  Sure, I have an iPod & you can watch your own personal tv, but I can't wait to get outside.  Have I written that about a million times so far in this blog?

On Sunday I'm running the Hoboken Hot Chocolate 5k.  What's that you ask?  Well, normally at the end of these races there's a beer party where they serve beer free for about an hour, but I suppose on Valentine's Day hot chocolate is more appropriate.  I did hear that there will also be beer served.  Something tells me that running along the Hudson in the middle of February might get a little chilly, so I'm going to have to head out to find some heavy duty running clothes!

Snow

Now normally I do not wish for snow, but today it would be welcomed, but only if we were allowed to leave work early.  This does present a problem though.  If it starts snowing, I know that they are going to close the gym & since the snow is supposed to continue until tomorrow I know that the gym will be closed both days.  That will leave me with 2 workouts this week.  Which sucks.  It's February, this is the kickoff to my big training!  I guess I'm not going to die if training gets pushed back a week, but I am just feeling kinda cruddy & bloated.  A good workout always puts me in a better mood & makes me think I am on the right track.

But I forsee a weekend full of eating & junk food so I am going to have to try really hard to not pig out!  I know I really need to start eating a lot more fruits & vegetables too.  & I really like them so I don't know why I don't stock up on them when I am at the store.  & it's not like I am going to the store & buying snacks & chips.  I actually bought chips & dip last week (first time in months) & felt guilty eating them!  I wish I had a better relationship with food!  Maybe a big fruit salad should be on the grocery list tonight!  That's if everyone hasn't pillaged the store like they're awaiting the apocalypse.  Seriously people who eats that much bread, eggs and milk?  Is there a french toast contest every time it snows?  I just don't get it.  I like a good sandwich as much as the next person, but how long are you going to be snowed in?  A month?  & don't we all live in a world where 7-11 is open 24 hours a day?  I'm sure we all have a bag of pasta in the closet, you're not going to starve in the 8 hours it takes for it to stop snowing!  Bring on summer!

200 To Go

Hard to believe that there is only 200 days to go until Timberman.  I can't wait, for August that is!  Not sure how I feel about the Timberman at this point since it seems so far away.  This weather is attrocious!  & it is hard to believe that all I write about it working out & going to the gym.  I guess that's why I started this blog, to track my training. 

It snowed here last night.  While the dusting of snow looks pretty, it's just a matter of time before it turns to a slushy mess & freezes over.  It may even snow more on Friday.  Yee effin ha!  More white stuff.  I can hardly contain my excitement. 

I have come to the realization that my eyesight is getting worse.  At least I think it is.  Maybe I just have tired eyes!  Wasn't that some dopey commercial back in the late 90s?  I am thinking about investing in a pair of prescription sunglasses.  Now I have had prescription sunglasses before, that's not the issue, but I think I need a pair for riding & running, not just the walking around fashion kind of sunglasses either.  I really don't need them to run, but being on the bike without glasses on is starting to become an issue.  Now I know you are all thinking, when is the last time you went outside to exercise,?  Ha ha funny.  Honestly though, I always do wear sunglasses when I go out biking, I just don't think I'm going to be able to get away with riding without them any longer.

This week I signed up for 2 races.  The Navesink or Swim & the Spring Lake 5.  I should say I sent in my application for the Spring Lake 5, we shall see if it gets accepted.  Here's the tricky part.  The Spring Lake 5 is on May 29th & the Navesink or Swim is on May 30th.  Eeek.  But a good friend said to me....if you can't do both in two days, you're never going to be able to do both in one day.  True true!  & I've been able to do that in a workout, so I don't think it will be that big of a deal.  & if it is too ambitious of a plan, well I'm sure you'll be reading all about it.

New Month New Plan

Yesterday I sat in bed reading my 70.3 book that I got for Christmas.  I'm happy to say that I am almost finished reading it.  Honestly, I skip over some of the training charts, as they are charts that people have submitted to the author.  I can use them as a guide, but there are a lot of charts.  I can't say I'm on the same level as the elite or pros, but this book does give a good variety of levels for training.  There's always one for beginners, more accomplished athletes and the elite.  It's a good book & I'm glad I put it on my Amazon wishlist.

I never knew so much went into this sport!  There are so many books, articles and websites, one could spend all day reading and never have time to train!  Ha!  Fat chance.  & speaking of fat....Fat Tuesday is 2 weeks from tomorrow.  Now I always give up something & I am pretty good at not cheating.  I can't remember the last time I bagged on my lenten sacrifice!  This year I am clueless.  I asked my facebook friends, but something tells me that I'm not going to get a lot of serious replies.  I already saw one that said "Exercise?"  Ha ha.  No Katie!  Well, the big one would be candy, but that is just crazy.  & of course everyone at work says that I should give up cursing....but we all know what I think about that!!!!!

I did get a really great run in on Saturday, 6 miles & I felt great, even if it was on the treadmill.  I really have cabin fever, but I am such a baby.  I don't think I have warm enough clothes to be running outside in 20 degree weather.  & going out to buy stuff is just not an option, remember no spending money this year!  I'm doing ok with that one.  I even passed up a great shirt at JCrew the other day when I went in to pay my bill.  Now that's will power!

But...since there was snow in South Jersey, I didn't get to go try out the WOPR, which really stinks, because I want to figure out how this things works!  I think it will be cool to track all my miles.  All 6 of them!  I know that I'm really a beginner's beginner, but I've really had a lot of fun laying out a plan for this year.  The Spring Lake 5 registration opens this week on Friday & I am going to try my hardest to get in!  Wish me luck!