I decided that after the crappy week I had last week to just start fresh on Monday. It seemed to work. I got a quick 3.5 mile run in last night & it felt really good. It was kinda dead at the gym, which is surprising for a Monday night, as I always think that people get up on Monday mornnigs & say to themselves - this is the day I start dieting/working out.
I really have to get back into my workout plan. I noticed that there's only 5 months left until New Hampshire. I am thinking about doing the Sgt. Pat's 5k this weekend. I had planned on it, but I am also going away for Easter, so not sure if I can do that & then drive out to Pennsylvania. We'll see. It's supposed to be a beautiful weekend, so I am sure I will get some running in at some point.
I have been reading some blogs from other triathletes & I have to say that I am a little embarassed at my workouts in comparison to theirs, but I still consider myself a beginner & I hope to be able to ramp up my workouts in the coming months. The brat just ordered P90X & I really can't wait to try it out. I have heard it's really hard, but I am up for the challenge!
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Saturday, March 27, 2010
New Venture
I do other things besides workout. If you saw me, it would be easy to believe that too. Ha ha. This week was the worst workout week ever. They always start out great, but tend to go downhill. Work has been pretty stressful lately, and unlike some that can go to the gym to relieve their stress, that doesn't always work for me.
I went for a swim on Wednesday night, but didn't realize that I hadn't eaten much all day, which is bizarre because I'm always munching on something. After about 800 meters, which stinks, I really started to feel a little shaky. I got out of the pool & realized that I had taken my blood sugar medication before I worked out. I think that my blood sugar was kinda low. After a large glass of OJ & some sugar (straight from the packet) I was feeling better.
So this week was a wash in the workout department. I only got in 3 workouts. Lameo. Tomorrow I am hoping that it won't be too cold & I can get in a decent run in the morning. We shall see. But this week has brought a lot of new things for me. In addition to training, or not training I should say, for this year's races I have also started writing. I recently was offered 2 different writing assignments - one for my Sorority's alumna page & another one on http://www.examiner.com/x-42867-Bulldog-Examiner~y2010m3d27-Happy-Birthday-Louie . I hope you will take the time to read it. I may not be the best writer & I know that I published my first article in the first person, so try to stick with me while I learn the ins and outs of all of this blogging!
See you on the boardwalk tomorrow, weather permitting!
I went for a swim on Wednesday night, but didn't realize that I hadn't eaten much all day, which is bizarre because I'm always munching on something. After about 800 meters, which stinks, I really started to feel a little shaky. I got out of the pool & realized that I had taken my blood sugar medication before I worked out. I think that my blood sugar was kinda low. After a large glass of OJ & some sugar (straight from the packet) I was feeling better.
So this week was a wash in the workout department. I only got in 3 workouts. Lameo. Tomorrow I am hoping that it won't be too cold & I can get in a decent run in the morning. We shall see. But this week has brought a lot of new things for me. In addition to training, or not training I should say, for this year's races I have also started writing. I recently was offered 2 different writing assignments - one for my Sorority's alumna page & another one on http://www.examiner.com/x-42867-Bulldog-Examiner~y2010m3d27-Happy-Birthday-Louie . I hope you will take the time to read it. I may not be the best writer & I know that I published my first article in the first person, so try to stick with me while I learn the ins and outs of all of this blogging!
See you on the boardwalk tomorrow, weather permitting!
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Tour de Cure - Diabetes Ride
This will be my second year riding in the American Diabetes Association's Tour de Cure. Last year our team did the 37 mile bike ride, this year we are aiming for 63. We had great weather & raised over $9,000.
About 3 years ago I was diagnosed with Polycistic Ovarian Syndrome. One of the main reasons I do the diabetes ride (beside the fact that 1/2 my family has diabetes) is that one of the complications due to PCOS is diabetes due to weight gain & obesity.
For years I knew something was wrong with me. I went to doctor after doctor telling them that I knew something was wrong, that no matter how much I exercised and/or starved myself I was still gaining weight. I even told my old gyno that I thought I might have PCOS after googling my symptoms. He brushed me off & said the tests were too expensive. I should just exercise & eat right. People didn't believe me. Hey, I wasn't always a thin person, but my mother and sister were very slight, tiny even & I had battled weight most of my adult life. Finally, at a visit to my regular doctor for an ear infection he looked at me & asked me when was the last time I mestruated. I said about 9 months ago. WHAT???? That can't be right. Yes, it is I said. He said, do you go to the gynecologist? Of course & he knows. Well, he suggested an endrocrinologist. Well, guess what? Not only did I have PCOS, but I had 13 out of the 15 symptoms or caution signs, or whatever you call them. PHEW. I knew something was wrong, it just took a smart doctor that was paying attention to find out.
So....after all this & getting on the right medications I am down 30 pounds from where I was & that's great. Sure, I have gained some back, but I am much healthier & in way better shape than I was 3 years ago. & that's why I'm psyched for this ride. I hope we can raise a lot of money for this great cause. I added the link in case anyone wants to donate. $5 is a great start too. I know times are tough, but there is hope for people with Diabetes. It may be a disease that they cure in my lifetime.
http://main.diabetes.org/site/TR/TourdeCure/TDC090058030?px=4640923&pg=personal&fr_id=6852
About 3 years ago I was diagnosed with Polycistic Ovarian Syndrome. One of the main reasons I do the diabetes ride (beside the fact that 1/2 my family has diabetes) is that one of the complications due to PCOS is diabetes due to weight gain & obesity.
For years I knew something was wrong with me. I went to doctor after doctor telling them that I knew something was wrong, that no matter how much I exercised and/or starved myself I was still gaining weight. I even told my old gyno that I thought I might have PCOS after googling my symptoms. He brushed me off & said the tests were too expensive. I should just exercise & eat right. People didn't believe me. Hey, I wasn't always a thin person, but my mother and sister were very slight, tiny even & I had battled weight most of my adult life. Finally, at a visit to my regular doctor for an ear infection he looked at me & asked me when was the last time I mestruated. I said about 9 months ago. WHAT???? That can't be right. Yes, it is I said. He said, do you go to the gynecologist? Of course & he knows. Well, he suggested an endrocrinologist. Well, guess what? Not only did I have PCOS, but I had 13 out of the 15 symptoms or caution signs, or whatever you call them. PHEW. I knew something was wrong, it just took a smart doctor that was paying attention to find out.
So....after all this & getting on the right medications I am down 30 pounds from where I was & that's great. Sure, I have gained some back, but I am much healthier & in way better shape than I was 3 years ago. & that's why I'm psyched for this ride. I hope we can raise a lot of money for this great cause. I added the link in case anyone wants to donate. $5 is a great start too. I know times are tough, but there is hope for people with Diabetes. It may be a disease that they cure in my lifetime.
http://main.diabetes.org/site/TR/TourdeCure/TDC090058030?px=4640923&pg=personal&fr_id=6852
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Seal!
Went for a quick run in Spring Lake this morning. It was very chilly 45 degrees on my way south into Spring Lake. I decided I wasn't going to go for a long run this morning, so I turned around at the Bath & Tennis Club. As I was approaching the turn around point, I saw 2-3 people standing on the beach looking at something. It was a seal! Very cool! A police officer was there checking him out, so when I asked him if he was ok he said that he had called the Marine Stranding Center in Brigantine & that they would only come out & help the seal if he was hurt. This little guy didn't seem hurt, he was just stopping by to sun himself on the beach in Spring Lake. Who could blame him? It's a nice beach!
He may be a little hard to see as I was up on the boardwalk. Here's another one...still hard to see, but he's the little lump in the background.
I am hoping he is ok. He was there for about an hour. He was just looking around & flexing his tail taking in the sights. I have a feeling he just was looking for a place to get a tan. I heard there were some seals in Asbury Park on the jetties this past week. I'm guessing this was one of the Asbury seal's friends. Wish I knew what kind of seal he is. At least it was a good run. Happy Spring!
He may be a little hard to see as I was up on the boardwalk. Here's another one...still hard to see, but he's the little lump in the background.
I am hoping he is ok. He was there for about an hour. He was just looking around & flexing his tail taking in the sights. I have a feeling he just was looking for a place to get a tan. I heard there were some seals in Asbury Park on the jetties this past week. I'm guessing this was one of the Asbury seal's friends. Wish I knew what kind of seal he is. At least it was a good run. Happy Spring!
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Check this out!
Triathlete Magazine just published its 100 Best Triathlons on Earth. 10 categories with best races, best tri festivals & guess what? Alcatraz was voted in the top 10 of Best Urban Races. How cool is that? I seriously have to get a lot of open water swimming in this summer. Now I know the San Francisco Bay is a lot different than the Navesink, but any open water practice is better than the pool, right? Hope so!
Miami 70.3 was voted Best New Race & I'd love to go there. & of course one of the most scenic - St. Croix, no brainer there. I am a little disappointed that we decided on New Hampshire this year over St. Croix, but I think driving to New Hampshire with bikes, gear, etc. in tow is easier than getting all that stuff to St. Croix. Maybe in 2011.
But before I start thinking of all the races that I want to do, I have to start concentrating on the races that I'm committed to this year. My next big race is the Broad Street 10 in Philly with Lisa on May 2nd. I ran 7.18 miles the other night, which is my farthest run to date! Tonight however, was a bad workout. Barely got 1000 meters in the pool. Lame. I think the problem was that I decided to eat dinner prior to getting in the pool. Not good. I've always made it a point to swim on an empty stomach. Not tonight! Tomorrow I'm going to get in a quick run & hopefully on Saturday I'm going to get out on my bike. I think it's going to be close to 70 degrees. What a great forecast for the first day of Spring!!!!!
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Happy St. Patrick's Day
Happy St. Patrick's Day everyone! I was hoping to swim tonight, but my body is super sore from my run last night. 7 miles! Longest run to date. It wasn't easy either. I ran from the bridge in Avon to Spring Lake & back & after this weekend's major storm, it was like an obstacle course. There is still tons of sand, driftwood and debris all over the boardwalk, which made it difficult to run in some spots. At one point I had to come off the boardwalk & run for a short time on the street in Spring Lake, which isn't a big deal, but then people in cars can see me. Eek! Not a pretty site. I am a very slow runner. The highlight of the run was burning 855 calories. Thanks Garmin watch now I don't feel bad about all those girl scout cookies I ate yesterday.
Tonight I'm making corned beef. Deeeeelicious! I think I'll rest my tired & weary bones & swim tomorrow & then run again on Friday night. I don't think I'd get much out of my workout today. I am hoping for really great weather on Saturday so I can go out on my bike! Yes, biking. Outdoors. I can hardly believe it myself!
Erin Go Bragh!
Tonight I'm making corned beef. Deeeeelicious! I think I'll rest my tired & weary bones & swim tomorrow & then run again on Friday night. I don't think I'd get much out of my workout today. I am hoping for really great weather on Saturday so I can go out on my bike! Yes, biking. Outdoors. I can hardly believe it myself!
Erin Go Bragh!
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Blooooooooooooooown Away!
Wow! It is really windy out. The weather channel says 35 mph winds, but it's like a hurricane out there. I noticed a piece of siding on the house was thwack thwack thwacking in the wind. The power has also gone out about 3 times already. Thankfully, it is back on, but for how long, who knows? I have given up resetting the clocks. Woah, a huge wind just blew on by, Louie just looked up from his nap as if to say what the hell was that mommy? Hopefully it will stop blowing soon. But the funniest part of this wind & rain storm is this picture. I took it about an hour ago. This plastic bag has been stuck in my tree for about 2 weeks. It's too high for me to reach, so it will be there until I can persuade someone with a ladder to get it out. But....I thought this windstorm would take care of my bag problems....nope. Baggy 1 Jenn 0
I was planning to run a 5k tomorrow in Sea Bright. Now many of you may not know where Sea Bright, NJ is, so let me tell you. It's a peninsula that borders the Atlantic Ocean just South of Sandy Hook. It may be about 500 feet wide in some spots, maybe 200 in others. It's other natural border? The Shrewsbury River. & most of the time, on days like today....the Shrewsbury River becomes one with the Atlantic Ocean. Not sure if the race is still on for tomorrow, or if I will be able to get to Sea Bright. It starts at 11 am.....so maybe things will be a little dryer & less windier by then. & that's if I remember to set my clocks ahead. Spring ahead!
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Monday, March 8, 2010
Dilemma
Dilemma! I just found out that there are 2 Alcatraz Triathlons. The Escape from Alcatraz & the San Francisco Alcatraz Triathlon. Now what am I going to do? There's also an Aquathon (swim/run), but that's not part of the plan either.
Escape from Alcatraz is closed out for May 2010....that's ok, I'm not really ready for that just yet. The SF Alcatraz is in August, exactly one week after my 70.3 Ironman. Clearly not going to be able to do that. But what about next year? Oh why does this stuff always happen to me? I hate making decisions! I think what it is going to come down to next year is getting into the Escape lottery. The SF Alcatraz still has open registration going on now for August.
I suppose in the big scheme of things, there really isn't much difference. I mean, it's practically the same exact length.....and I'm sure the San Francisco bay is a lot warmer in August (hopefully) than it is in May. I'm probably even crazy for even considering doing something like this, but hey what the hell! I've even ordered the book - Alcatraz Swimmers Manual. I can't wait to get it! & yes, thanks to my sister & the brat I know that there are sharks in the water. No need to keep bringing that up, I heard you both the first 100 times. But there are 2,000 swimmers. I'm sure that makes my attack odds much better. I'll stay on the inside of the pack! Ha ha!
All of this would be great if I had gotten up & gone to the gym tonight, but I just didn't feel like it & had zero motivation. Tomorrow it's going to be almost 60 degrees & I'm going to head down to Spring Lake for a long run on the boardwalk with the WOPR!
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Garmin Connect - Activity Details for First Run - Red Bank
Garmin Connect -
Activity Details for First Run - Red Bank
Check this out! Remember the Garmin GPS watch I got for Christmas? (Thanks mom!) I finally got to take it out on it's inaugural run! It is soooo cool. & now you can see my progress by following the link above. I took it out & ran a little, then walked a little, and did some more running. You'll be able to see that on the graph that they provide with information. This is going to really help me as well.
I was just so psyched to get outside yesterday for the first time in almost a month! The weather has been awful here in NJ & it was just too cold or snowy to go out & get in a decent run. Today I think I'm going to take the watch down to Pier Village for a run on the boardwalk & see how far I make it. I easily did 3 miles through Red Bank yesterday. It wasn't a big run because I kept looking at the watch, checking to see how my pace was changing all the time. I think the longer I run with the watch, the better gauge I will see as to how many miles I am running in a week. It won't work inside, so I will still have to deal with the treadmill pedometers! But I knew that I was getting in more miles than the stupid treadmills said!
I just checked the weather too! 60 tomorrow & Tuesday. Awesome!!!!! Going outside after work & not coming back in until the sun goes down!
Activity Details for First Run - Red Bank
Check this out! Remember the Garmin GPS watch I got for Christmas? (Thanks mom!) I finally got to take it out on it's inaugural run! It is soooo cool. & now you can see my progress by following the link above. I took it out & ran a little, then walked a little, and did some more running. You'll be able to see that on the graph that they provide with information. This is going to really help me as well.
I was just so psyched to get outside yesterday for the first time in almost a month! The weather has been awful here in NJ & it was just too cold or snowy to go out & get in a decent run. Today I think I'm going to take the watch down to Pier Village for a run on the boardwalk & see how far I make it. I easily did 3 miles through Red Bank yesterday. It wasn't a big run because I kept looking at the watch, checking to see how my pace was changing all the time. I think the longer I run with the watch, the better gauge I will see as to how many miles I am running in a week. It won't work inside, so I will still have to deal with the treadmill pedometers! But I knew that I was getting in more miles than the stupid treadmills said!
I just checked the weather too! 60 tomorrow & Tuesday. Awesome!!!!! Going outside after work & not coming back in until the sun goes down!
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
It's Only Tuesday
This week sure started out bad! So much work to do & never enough time to do it. My goal this week is to run 15-20 miles. Last week I wanted to get to 20 miles, but thanks to to the snow....I only made it 13.50. I was so dissapointed with myself, but I can't really be too down on myself because I just have to keep plugging away. The weather has been so terrible lately & it's almost impossible to get any outdoor exercise accomplished.
I have to go online today & sign up for the Philly Broad Street Run. I am just procrastinating today, besides I have lots of work to do! Because it is a large race (30,000 runners) you have to put in a time so you don't get lumped in to the last corral. Lisa put in 1:30 for the race & I am hoping that I can keep up! Besides all of this running that I have to accomplish this week I am in the midst of planning my 20th high school reunion. I put this save the date postcard together & hope to get it out in the next week or so & get a lot of people interested! I still can't believe it's been 20 years! Take a look!
It seems a little blurry. I hope the proof doesn't look like that. I really don't want to have to start all over again. Anyway, that is what I have been doing in my "spare time." I say that because I don't feel as if I really ever do have any spare time lately. Most of my time is spent at the gym or washing dirty gym clothes! I think I'm going to take my usual Wednesday night off & have a nice dinner with the brat. Then back to training on Thursday & Friday. I am really going to try to make Doug's swim class. Maybe I can make Friday my brick workout night!
Finally, I found a really cool new product. I read about it on MJ's How Far is that Ironman blog. It's by SBR Sports, they make a line of hair products (shampoo/conditioner), antifog wipes & some Tri Glide (anti-chaffe). Now if any of you remember my first tussle with my brand new wetsuit.........I think I may need some!
Oh wait - I have to wish my friend Suzanne a very Happy Birthday!!!!!! Hope you're doing something fun in the HO today!
I have to go online today & sign up for the Philly Broad Street Run. I am just procrastinating today, besides I have lots of work to do! Because it is a large race (30,000 runners) you have to put in a time so you don't get lumped in to the last corral. Lisa put in 1:30 for the race & I am hoping that I can keep up! Besides all of this running that I have to accomplish this week I am in the midst of planning my 20th high school reunion. I put this save the date postcard together & hope to get it out in the next week or so & get a lot of people interested! I still can't believe it's been 20 years! Take a look!
It seems a little blurry. I hope the proof doesn't look like that. I really don't want to have to start all over again. Anyway, that is what I have been doing in my "spare time." I say that because I don't feel as if I really ever do have any spare time lately. Most of my time is spent at the gym or washing dirty gym clothes! I think I'm going to take my usual Wednesday night off & have a nice dinner with the brat. Then back to training on Thursday & Friday. I am really going to try to make Doug's swim class. Maybe I can make Friday my brick workout night!
Finally, I found a really cool new product. I read about it on MJ's How Far is that Ironman blog. It's by SBR Sports, they make a line of hair products (shampoo/conditioner), antifog wipes & some Tri Glide (anti-chaffe). Now if any of you remember my first tussle with my brand new wetsuit.........I think I may need some!
Oh wait - I have to wish my friend Suzanne a very Happy Birthday!!!!!! Hope you're doing something fun in the HO today!
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