You know what's great? Freedom of Speech. & you know what's even better? When you speak the truth, you have nothing to worry about. Have a great weekend everyone!
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
Saturday, July 28, 2012
Thursday, July 19, 2012
2012 MS Mudruckus - West Orange, NJ
Another race? Yep! I guess it isn't a race though, it's more of an obstacle course. We signed up as a team - team Dirty Jerzzzz, get it? Jersey? Yeah, I know, but it's cute! & we are planning on getting dirty that day! I am hoping for cute matching shirts too. But I guess they will be muddy matching shirts, but who cares, it's for a great cause - MS! Not really sure how this all works, but I think it's all for fun & even though I think the course is 5 miles, I have a feeling it's going to go quickly! Wish us luck!
http://main.nationalmssociety.org/site/TR/MuckRuckus/NJMMUCKEvents?team_id=300394&pg=team&fr_id=18853
http://main.nationalmssociety.org/site/TR/MuckRuckus/NJMMUCKEvents?team_id=300394&pg=team&fr_id=18853
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
NYC Triathlon - Run
The last part of my big race was the run. Now we all know (five faithful followers) that I am not a runner. It is hard for me & frustrating since I can't seem to get much better. I did feel pretty confident that I could make most of the run without walking.
The entire time I was on the bike I kept thinking about the run. How it would be so nice to be jogging (not running - lets face it) in Central Park. & that I would take it one mile at a time & run from water station to water station. That's always my plan in these races - just get to the next water stop.
After the transition - I started out of Riverside Park & up 72nd Street. It was really cool to be running in the middle of the city, down the middle of 72nd Street. I can't explain it, but I kept thinking (as I ran past a ton of cheering people) that this must be what the NYC Marathon must be like the entire way - tons of cheering people. As I entered the park there were lots of people. I was a bit sad my friends missed me, but I didn't know how long I would be on the bike & I was finished an hour sooner than I thought. But there were a lot of people at the entrance to the park, maybe about 1,000? & I was surprised to see how fast the 1 mile mark came & went. I made it to the first water stop & filled up, because I know that I definitely did not drink as much as I should have on the bike. At about mile 2, I did encounter a hill & did walk for about 2 minutes, yeah disappointing, but I did feel a bit of a cramp coming on.
To be honest, I have been in Central Park tons of times, but never for a run & I wasn't really sure where I was in the Park. I did start running at a certain point & made it past mile 3 & the next water stop. There was a lot to see, so that kept me going. I know I came around the reservoir & atone point asked someone where were & he said 110th Street. OK, that's the top of the park! Halfway there. & yes, the 3 mile marker also let me know I was 1/2 way there as well! I think it was at this point I came upon a sprinkler - which was really refreshing. The Fifth Avenue side of the park was definitely a lot warmer than when I started. I did walk a bit again up Cat Hill - I was tired, but then it dawned on me that I had less than 2 miles to go & I could do this. Mile 5 clicked by & then I saw the museum.
Now years ago I watched Paul Tergat race to the finish in the NYC marathon right around this same spot. I have no idea why I would remember this as it was in 2005 & I was definitely not a runner or in any running shape back then, but it was the only running memory I had of Central Park. So weird, I know! But as I past the museum all I wanted to do was finish before 11 am & before the 4 hour mark. My goal was really 3 & 1/2 hours, but I think that's something I'm going to have to work on for next year.
I wound around the museum & then a few turns later I could see thousands of people still lining the race area & all I kept thinking was - where the hell is the finish line? Someone yelled out 1/4 mile to go - but I think they were lying because I think I ran about another 1/2 mile before I finally crossed over the first timing pad & then over the finish line.
It was a great race & I was really excited that I finished. Even though it was just at the 4 hour mark, I was glad because I hadn't really put in the effort I had in training for San Francisco & I still came out 45 minutes ahead of that time. But I know there was a lot I could have improved upon. Like my transition time, maybe not stopping to go to the bathroom after the bike & being a better runner. But my main goal was to do this for the MS Society & raise money. & I did it.
Next year I hope to get into this race again, but if not, I'd bet psyched to get on the MS team again. It was a great experience. & who doesn't love NYC? Here's a pic of me after the race. I was too gross to go into Chanel looking like this, so maybe I will get the chance to go this weekend! Thanks for reading up on my race report!
The entire time I was on the bike I kept thinking about the run. How it would be so nice to be jogging (not running - lets face it) in Central Park. & that I would take it one mile at a time & run from water station to water station. That's always my plan in these races - just get to the next water stop.
After the transition - I started out of Riverside Park & up 72nd Street. It was really cool to be running in the middle of the city, down the middle of 72nd Street. I can't explain it, but I kept thinking (as I ran past a ton of cheering people) that this must be what the NYC Marathon must be like the entire way - tons of cheering people. As I entered the park there were lots of people. I was a bit sad my friends missed me, but I didn't know how long I would be on the bike & I was finished an hour sooner than I thought. But there were a lot of people at the entrance to the park, maybe about 1,000? & I was surprised to see how fast the 1 mile mark came & went. I made it to the first water stop & filled up, because I know that I definitely did not drink as much as I should have on the bike. At about mile 2, I did encounter a hill & did walk for about 2 minutes, yeah disappointing, but I did feel a bit of a cramp coming on.
To be honest, I have been in Central Park tons of times, but never for a run & I wasn't really sure where I was in the Park. I did start running at a certain point & made it past mile 3 & the next water stop. There was a lot to see, so that kept me going. I know I came around the reservoir & atone point asked someone where were & he said 110th Street. OK, that's the top of the park! Halfway there. & yes, the 3 mile marker also let me know I was 1/2 way there as well! I think it was at this point I came upon a sprinkler - which was really refreshing. The Fifth Avenue side of the park was definitely a lot warmer than when I started. I did walk a bit again up Cat Hill - I was tired, but then it dawned on me that I had less than 2 miles to go & I could do this. Mile 5 clicked by & then I saw the museum.
Now years ago I watched Paul Tergat race to the finish in the NYC marathon right around this same spot. I have no idea why I would remember this as it was in 2005 & I was definitely not a runner or in any running shape back then, but it was the only running memory I had of Central Park. So weird, I know! But as I past the museum all I wanted to do was finish before 11 am & before the 4 hour mark. My goal was really 3 & 1/2 hours, but I think that's something I'm going to have to work on for next year.
I wound around the museum & then a few turns later I could see thousands of people still lining the race area & all I kept thinking was - where the hell is the finish line? Someone yelled out 1/4 mile to go - but I think they were lying because I think I ran about another 1/2 mile before I finally crossed over the first timing pad & then over the finish line.
It was a great race & I was really excited that I finished. Even though it was just at the 4 hour mark, I was glad because I hadn't really put in the effort I had in training for San Francisco & I still came out 45 minutes ahead of that time. But I know there was a lot I could have improved upon. Like my transition time, maybe not stopping to go to the bathroom after the bike & being a better runner. But my main goal was to do this for the MS Society & raise money. & I did it.
Next year I hope to get into this race again, but if not, I'd bet psyched to get on the MS team again. It was a great experience. & who doesn't love NYC? Here's a pic of me after the race. I was too gross to go into Chanel looking like this, so maybe I will get the chance to go this weekend! Thanks for reading up on my race report!
Monday, July 9, 2012
2012 NYC Triathlon - Bike
The bike part is probably the best part of the race for me. I don't know why I say that because one would think it would be the swim, but honestly, being wet & getting struck in the head with a fish, is well, gross! Open water swimming is nothing like swimming in the pool. The water is always dark & murky & lord knows what lurks 2' beneath you. As it is you can't see the ends of your fingertips when you are in the water. Which is unnerving to say the least.
I always have a really horrible swim to bike transition time. Mostly it is because I insist on drying off & getting myself totally ready for the bike portion. What do I care? I'm not winning this race, so why not take my time & be prepared. My only concern is not getting swept off the course because I exceed my bike time. There was a longer run back to the transition area for the yellow transition area. I think it was a mile. I walked a bit & ran some. But it's barefoot, on the asphalt path in Riverside Park. It's not a fluffy blob of cotton balls. So I walked most of it. Again, who cares? Not me.
Now, for everyone that has never been a part of a triathlon there's a lot of hubbub around the transition area. There's always people running in & out (the ones the do care about their transition times) & usually you can piss a lot of people off if you are in their way or messing up their routine. I try to stay out of the way & make my way out of the bike area at my own pace. The funny part is watching a lot of these weekend warriors on their $5,000 bikes. In the pre-race meeting the race director must have stressed over & over that you should leave the transition area in a low gear due to the steep climb out of Riverside Park. OK, I guess I can remember that. I think to myself, steep climb? I was in San Francisco, these people know nothing of a steep climb. Out of the park I go & wouldn't you know it, the guy in front of me pedals about 4 times and falls right over on his side. After maneuvering around him, I had to laugh. So much for your fancy Cervelo dude, you can't even ride it, or pay attention for that matter.
The bike portion wasn't that bad. It was getting a bit warmer, but the ride was semi-hilly & really gave you a great view of a portion of Manhattan & the Bronx that I have never seen. The bike route went north on the Henry Hudson Parkway towards the Cloisters & Fort Tryon Park, up the Moshalu & to Gun Hill Road. Now if you've ever been in NYC traffic & listened to the traffic report, you'll know all these roads. It was a good ride, all 25 miles of it & I felt pretty good on the bike. My only complaint is that bike seats are probably the most uncomfortable piece of equipment ever made & well, lets just leave it at that.
Overall, I was pleased with my bike time. It wasn't anything to write home about, but big kudos to The Red Bicycle in Red Bank for tuning up my bike for me before the race. The new neck/stem/throat/whatever it is called really made a big difference for me. & I am really considering aerobars, as sometimes I would like to lean further forward. But that's something for next year.
Since the bike was so uneventful for me.....stay tuned for the run portion tomorrow!
& here's a pic of my tri-tat day 2. They don't seem to be very temporary, now do they?
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I always have a really horrible swim to bike transition time. Mostly it is because I insist on drying off & getting myself totally ready for the bike portion. What do I care? I'm not winning this race, so why not take my time & be prepared. My only concern is not getting swept off the course because I exceed my bike time. There was a longer run back to the transition area for the yellow transition area. I think it was a mile. I walked a bit & ran some. But it's barefoot, on the asphalt path in Riverside Park. It's not a fluffy blob of cotton balls. So I walked most of it. Again, who cares? Not me.
Now, for everyone that has never been a part of a triathlon there's a lot of hubbub around the transition area. There's always people running in & out (the ones the do care about their transition times) & usually you can piss a lot of people off if you are in their way or messing up their routine. I try to stay out of the way & make my way out of the bike area at my own pace. The funny part is watching a lot of these weekend warriors on their $5,000 bikes. In the pre-race meeting the race director must have stressed over & over that you should leave the transition area in a low gear due to the steep climb out of Riverside Park. OK, I guess I can remember that. I think to myself, steep climb? I was in San Francisco, these people know nothing of a steep climb. Out of the park I go & wouldn't you know it, the guy in front of me pedals about 4 times and falls right over on his side. After maneuvering around him, I had to laugh. So much for your fancy Cervelo dude, you can't even ride it, or pay attention for that matter.
The bike portion wasn't that bad. It was getting a bit warmer, but the ride was semi-hilly & really gave you a great view of a portion of Manhattan & the Bronx that I have never seen. The bike route went north on the Henry Hudson Parkway towards the Cloisters & Fort Tryon Park, up the Moshalu & to Gun Hill Road. Now if you've ever been in NYC traffic & listened to the traffic report, you'll know all these roads. It was a good ride, all 25 miles of it & I felt pretty good on the bike. My only complaint is that bike seats are probably the most uncomfortable piece of equipment ever made & well, lets just leave it at that.
Overall, I was pleased with my bike time. It wasn't anything to write home about, but big kudos to The Red Bicycle in Red Bank for tuning up my bike for me before the race. The new neck/stem/throat/whatever it is called really made a big difference for me. & I am really considering aerobars, as sometimes I would like to lean further forward. But that's something for next year.
Since the bike was so uneventful for me.....stay tuned for the run portion tomorrow!
& here's a pic of my tri-tat day 2. They don't seem to be very temporary, now do they?
.JPG)
Sunday, July 8, 2012
2012 NYC Triathlon - Swim
Hey everyone! I'm back from NYC! I can't believe the race has come & gone already. It was a great day for a race, not too hot & definitely cooler than it has been the past few weeks.
The day started off yesterday - when I went into the city to pickup my race number. We had to go to the Hilton for the mandatory race meeting. & let me just say, this was the most well organized race I have ever raced. The meeting went over everything we needed to know for all parts of the race. & lets face it, NYC is a big place, with no time for nonsense. So having a really great race director & organization was huge. I can't say I have had the same experience for the other two big triathlons I have done.
After all the hubbub at the Hilton, I was denied my guilty pleasure of walking a few blocks to 57th Street to visit Chanel. Chanello! Blasphemy! We settled for Starbucks instead & we were off to rack my bike.
A bit of confusion later (due to my not paying attention to which transition area I needed to go to) I get my bike situated & we were back to Hoboken for dinner! I have to say it took us about 4 hours in the city & this girl was tired! But being tired & sleeping don't always go hand in hand around here - so I probably got about 2 hours of sleep last night.
My bike was in the yellow transition area, which opened at 4 am & closed at 5:15 am. Well, that means this Jersey girl had to hike it back through the tunnel at 4 am. Yep. 4 am. Hats off to my BFF Mike who takes me everywhere & never complains. He dumped me off at the corner of 79th Street at 4:17 am & was back to NJ for sleep. Next year, I think staying at a midtown hotel may work more in my favor. But it was convenient, even though I think we spent $36 at the Lincoln Tunnel for tolls. You're welcome Port Authority!
I got myself situated in the transition area, which included finding my bike in the dark & hoping it was still there - it was! Then I had to try to remember, in my half awake unconsciousness what I needed to bring with me to the swim start & what I needed to put in the Jet Blue bag for the finish. No losing my sneakers like last year in San Francisco.
I got my age (not 40!) on my leg & then I was stuck trying to put on the tri-tats. Now usually, when you race a triathlon, someone with a sharpie marker illegibly scribbles your race number on your arm & hand. Well, NYC is not just any race, so they have tattoos. Cool, right? Yeah, no. At 5 pm I still have 2 large 2275 numbers on my left & right arm. I must have greasy hands because the hand tattoo was off about 1 hour into the race.
I had until 5:15 to get out of the transition area & I remembered everything. I almost still can't believe it. A mile walk to the start & we were ready. My group volunteer was super nice & really helpful. NYC gave all the swim volunteers a card with the swim order of all the age groupers. I know this seems really silly, but it was huge! He knew exactly who was in the water & when we were up next. After waiting for a 1/2 an hour - the 40-44 (I'M 39 DAMN IT!) women were next.
Down the gangplank we go to the swim barge & we had the option to jump or sit. I was about to sit, so I could easily slide into the Hudson until I saw about 10 dead fish floating by the barge. Um...pass. Looks like a jump start! The Hudson is much more saltier than I expected, but it has a quick current. I think I did a mile in about 21 minutes. Not bad considering I'm usually at about 37 minutes for 1.2 miles. But besides the fast current, there is a lot of debris in the water. Not fun. At about the 900 m mark I got smacked in the face with a stick. It was about 4' long. Then I notice I am a bit to the left, kinda by the wall that hold back Riverside Park. I look up & a kayaker is yelling to us, move away from the debris, move right & the current is faster. Wish I had heard this about 2 minutes earlier - as no sooner were the words - move right out of his mouth, that I got smacked in the head with a dead fish. & it stunk! Lovely. At least I wasn't the only one. After the race I found a few other ladies talking about their dead fish experiences as well. Only in NY! I should be thanking my lucky stars it wasn't a body.
That was the swim portion. The best part was the end, where I was greeted by hot firefighters yanking the ladies out of the water! Now someone in NY is thinking!!! I'll write more about the bike tomorrow! Need to go rest my weary feet. :)
Friday, July 6, 2012
2012 NYC Triathlon & the MS Society
I can't believe that in less that 48 hours I will be racing in this year's NYC Triathlon. Last year I registered for the lottery for the race, but I didn't get in. So I partnered with a charity & raised $2,500 for MS. Some of you reading this know that my dear friend was diagnosed with MS last year & it has been a goal of mine to help raise as much money for MS as I could. When I found out that I could race with the MS Society, I sent my application in the very first day.
I have to say, I knew that I would get picked. I had experience racing in triathlons (ok, not much, but I wasn't a newbie) & I actually had raised money for the MS society in the past year. I also raised money for the Stephen Siller Foundation - for the Tunnel to Towers Run in previous years. I had a feeling that if I could show that I consistently raised money that I may have a better chance than others of making the team.
I have to admit, I was in a lot better shape last year for Alcatraz (even with all the mishaps that occurred during the race) & in prior years, but I feel confident this year. I am not the best runner, but it's going to be super hot on Sunday, so slow jogging is acceptable in my book. The swimming & biking, well after my quick workouts this week, I think I am ok.
I got in a quick swim tonight. For some reason it was an easy swim, the outdoor pool was warm & I felt at ease. Maybe I have come to terms with the race being two days away & I've done what I can. Maybe I am just used to swimming that it's not that hard for me to swim for a half hour & not be tired? Who knows? I think it was the warm water.
Either way, I'm headed into NYC tomorrow (one of my most favorite places!) & hope to see some of my good friends cheering me on at the finish line! Well, I would be ok with them not being there, especially if I have mishaps like in San Francisco, but this is NYC & I'm an East Coast girl!
I want to say thanks to everyone that has contributed to my MS fund. It means a lot to me that I have so many great friends that helped me reach my goal! I definitely couldn't have done it without you guys!
See you Sunday for a post race report!
I have to say, I knew that I would get picked. I had experience racing in triathlons (ok, not much, but I wasn't a newbie) & I actually had raised money for the MS society in the past year. I also raised money for the Stephen Siller Foundation - for the Tunnel to Towers Run in previous years. I had a feeling that if I could show that I consistently raised money that I may have a better chance than others of making the team.
I have to admit, I was in a lot better shape last year for Alcatraz (even with all the mishaps that occurred during the race) & in prior years, but I feel confident this year. I am not the best runner, but it's going to be super hot on Sunday, so slow jogging is acceptable in my book. The swimming & biking, well after my quick workouts this week, I think I am ok.
I got in a quick swim tonight. For some reason it was an easy swim, the outdoor pool was warm & I felt at ease. Maybe I have come to terms with the race being two days away & I've done what I can. Maybe I am just used to swimming that it's not that hard for me to swim for a half hour & not be tired? Who knows? I think it was the warm water.
Either way, I'm headed into NYC tomorrow (one of my most favorite places!) & hope to see some of my good friends cheering me on at the finish line! Well, I would be ok with them not being there, especially if I have mishaps like in San Francisco, but this is NYC & I'm an East Coast girl!
I want to say thanks to everyone that has contributed to my MS fund. It means a lot to me that I have so many great friends that helped me reach my goal! I definitely couldn't have done it without you guys!
See you Sunday for a post race report!
Thursday, July 5, 2012
Ewing Oil - Back in Business
OK, even though I am a day late in watching Dallas, I must say - another excellent episode. I know, you're all tired of me saying that. But it was! JR has stolen back (what was rightfully his in the first place) South Fork! You may feel a tiny bit bad for Bobby, but I do not! Come on, you let JR move back into the house, what did you expect? That he was going to sit around looking through family albums & reminiscing? No way! He's back to put Ewing Oil back in business!
Where to start. I don't even care about stupid Christopher (still not a Ewing) dumping Rebecca. You knew that he was going to do that & try to run back to Elena, but good for her for pretending that she doesn't like him this week. We'll see what happens next week.
JR shocks us all (well not me) & finagles his way back to owning the ranch. Woo hoo! Let the drilling begin. But first, let me just fly on out of here in my handy dandy helicopter - because after making my big debut at the new Texas Stadium with my BFF Jerry Jones, I just have to skedaddle & leave John Ross to run things. Hmmmmm.....big mistake? Or ingenious plan? I am thinking ingenious plan!
I think we were all surprised that Bobby's wife Ann was married to some Ryland Oil Trucking guy, who seems a little sleazy, like all Texas tycoons, but I sense more is to come from this weird turn of events.
I can't decide what my favorite part of the episode was. Was it the look on Bobby's face when he figured out JR had tricked him out of South Fork? Or maybe it was everyone breaking into John Ross' condo. Sure, that happens every day. I always come home & find CDs & weird people waiting for me in my house. Oh wait, that has happened to me too. OK, totally normal. This is why I love this show....because it is totally believable!
I still can't decide what I want to happen. I am not totally sold on Jesse Metcalfe, but since he is so smoking hot, I will let him bore me with his goody two shoes act for a bit longer. I hope Elena & him do end up together, but I think she's going to stick it out with John Ross. Why? Who knows? Next week she'll be in love with Rebecca's stupid brother Tommy. Because that's the way it is at South Fork. & who cares? Because I am beginning to think it is the best show on TV. See you next Wednesday at 9 pm!
Where to start. I don't even care about stupid Christopher (still not a Ewing) dumping Rebecca. You knew that he was going to do that & try to run back to Elena, but good for her for pretending that she doesn't like him this week. We'll see what happens next week.
JR shocks us all (well not me) & finagles his way back to owning the ranch. Woo hoo! Let the drilling begin. But first, let me just fly on out of here in my handy dandy helicopter - because after making my big debut at the new Texas Stadium with my BFF Jerry Jones, I just have to skedaddle & leave John Ross to run things. Hmmmmm.....big mistake? Or ingenious plan? I am thinking ingenious plan!
I think we were all surprised that Bobby's wife Ann was married to some Ryland Oil Trucking guy, who seems a little sleazy, like all Texas tycoons, but I sense more is to come from this weird turn of events.
I can't decide what my favorite part of the episode was. Was it the look on Bobby's face when he figured out JR had tricked him out of South Fork? Or maybe it was everyone breaking into John Ross' condo. Sure, that happens every day. I always come home & find CDs & weird people waiting for me in my house. Oh wait, that has happened to me too. OK, totally normal. This is why I love this show....because it is totally believable!
I still can't decide what I want to happen. I am not totally sold on Jesse Metcalfe, but since he is so smoking hot, I will let him bore me with his goody two shoes act for a bit longer. I hope Elena & him do end up together, but I think she's going to stick it out with John Ross. Why? Who knows? Next week she'll be in love with Rebecca's stupid brother Tommy. Because that's the way it is at South Fork. & who cares? Because I am beginning to think it is the best show on TV. See you next Wednesday at 9 pm!
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
Wounded Warriors Visit 9/11 Memorial & Remind Americans About The Price Of Freedom « CBS New York
Wounded Warriors Visit 9/11 Memorial & Remind Americans About The Price Of Freedom « CBS New York
The last frame shows the flag I placed on the memorial this morning. 1810.
The last frame shows the flag I placed on the memorial this morning. 1810.
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
Not a Runner
It's true. Sad, but true, I am not a runner. Sure, I have run a ton of 5ks, 5 milers & even the Broad Street 10 in 2010, but it's probably one of the only sports I've tried (except basketball) that I just can't get any better at. 4 years, and lots of miles later, it's not working. Now, I'm not feeling sorry for myself at all, because in these 4 long years I've really come a long way. Swam across the San Francisco Bay, ran 10 miles in Philly, run the same steps as a firefighter on the way to the World Trade Center & even made it 63 miles into a half ironman. But it's the running that always gets me in the end. And let me preface all this by saying, it's not from lack of trying, but more of a pieced back together ankle which was once broken in 6 lovely places.
The other morning as I made my way down to the running trail to meet my long time trainer & friend Suzanne I was so grumpy. Why? Well, it was 7 am & it was already 85 degrees & she was going to make me run. Yes, make me. Grudgingly, I legged out the 6 miles, with minimal stopping (one water stop) & then rewarded myself with a half hour in the pool. 20 minutes into the swim I looked at my friend Suzanne & said, THIS. IS. BORING. & you know what? I looked around the pool, at everyone swimming laps & thought to myself, I have spent 34 years of my life in a pool, soaking wet, swimming laps. That was the sport that I loved, not running & certainly not biking. Biking, although a great way to get around, is not fun either. I like that I can ride around & see the sights, but I'm not a racer girl. I want to be the girl riding the pink beach cruiser in a sundress, while wearing flip flops. That's the bike girl I am.
So, after a lot of thinking & a lot of gimping out runs, I think I may hang up this run, bike, swim stuff. & I know I say that even after I have 6 other races planned this year, but I think it's time I put the bike in storage & pick up my old friend the tennis racket. My first true love after swimming. I would swim every year from Alcatraz if I could. I used to want to swim the English Channel, until I found out that it was 22 miles & you needed to grease yourself up with lard (or lanolin - but still - nasty). I think I will start small, with a swim around the Statue of Liberty & maybe a long term goal of being part of the Manhattan relay team. Yes, relay. Around the island. Of Manhattan. I know I can do it.
& I'm not saying I will never run again, but for now, I don't want to torture myself when I know that I'll never be able to run a 7, 8 or even a 9 minute mile. But I know that I can swim & I know that I have a killer backhand. So I think it's time to get back to what I know I am good at. Not to say that you won't see me on Sunday mornings running the boards in Spring Lake, because that's my turf. & nothing is better than salt air & the wind at your back.
The other morning as I made my way down to the running trail to meet my long time trainer & friend Suzanne I was so grumpy. Why? Well, it was 7 am & it was already 85 degrees & she was going to make me run. Yes, make me. Grudgingly, I legged out the 6 miles, with minimal stopping (one water stop) & then rewarded myself with a half hour in the pool. 20 minutes into the swim I looked at my friend Suzanne & said, THIS. IS. BORING. & you know what? I looked around the pool, at everyone swimming laps & thought to myself, I have spent 34 years of my life in a pool, soaking wet, swimming laps. That was the sport that I loved, not running & certainly not biking. Biking, although a great way to get around, is not fun either. I like that I can ride around & see the sights, but I'm not a racer girl. I want to be the girl riding the pink beach cruiser in a sundress, while wearing flip flops. That's the bike girl I am.
So, after a lot of thinking & a lot of gimping out runs, I think I may hang up this run, bike, swim stuff. & I know I say that even after I have 6 other races planned this year, but I think it's time I put the bike in storage & pick up my old friend the tennis racket. My first true love after swimming. I would swim every year from Alcatraz if I could. I used to want to swim the English Channel, until I found out that it was 22 miles & you needed to grease yourself up with lard (or lanolin - but still - nasty). I think I will start small, with a swim around the Statue of Liberty & maybe a long term goal of being part of the Manhattan relay team. Yes, relay. Around the island. Of Manhattan. I know I can do it.
& I'm not saying I will never run again, but for now, I don't want to torture myself when I know that I'll never be able to run a 7, 8 or even a 9 minute mile. But I know that I can swim & I know that I have a killer backhand. So I think it's time to get back to what I know I am good at. Not to say that you won't see me on Sunday mornings running the boards in Spring Lake, because that's my turf. & nothing is better than salt air & the wind at your back.
Sunday, July 1, 2012
One week to go!
One week left to the NYC Triathlon. Hard to believe. I don't think I am ready, but I am committed to following through on this. I went for a 6 mile run yesterday & a 1/2 hour swim. The swim was the easiest part. & it was AFTER the 6 mile run.
The worst part, besides the running of course, was the fact that it was 90 degrees at about 9 am. Ugh. I am hoping that it won't be that hot in NYC next week. Lets all keep our fingers crossed, shall we? More swimming & biking to come this week & of course Happy 4th of July to everyone!
The worst part, besides the running of course, was the fact that it was 90 degrees at about 9 am. Ugh. I am hoping that it won't be that hot in NYC next week. Lets all keep our fingers crossed, shall we? More swimming & biking to come this week & of course Happy 4th of July to everyone!
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