Top 10 of '10

Did you work out this morning? I just finished. Shocker, I know. Sometimes, my best blog ideas come to me during my work-out time. Hence, two blog updates in a row... 

Since it being New Year's Eve and 2011 is right around the corner, I thought it only fair to honor the 2010 year. As such, my Top 10 of '10 List. So here we go (in no particular order!):

1. Completing my first triathlon (times two, with some other races in between)
2. One Year Anniversary to Troy. LoVeS.
3. Family vacation in the 1000 Islands. No better place on earth.....
4. Trip to the UP, Michigan Tech, Copperman Triathlon, and Sig Ep Reunion weekend adventures
5. Captain FINALLY swimming. Bailey is a lost cause at this point.
6. Red skies on night on Lake Erie, Lake Michigan, and the St. Lawrence River
7. Celebrating my last year in my 20's
8. Starting this blog (for real - it brings me great joy)
9. My first River bracelet (thank you Julie!) and starting this as an annual birthday tradition
10. And finally.... committing to a healthier lifestyle, as I venture towards the Half Ironman

Thank you 2010. It was quite a year. I will be celebrating you in style with great friends, a great husband, great food, great cocktails, and a very cute outfit (at least, I think so). I like my shoes the best.

Cheers to a safe and glorious evening.

Oldest Lesson Ever

I woke up this morning, thinking I was going to swim a mile and half and call it a work-out. Then Nichols shows up (15 minutes late, I might add) and we ended up swimming a lot more than that. To top it off, he throws in lactic acids sets at the end of the work-out. Really, Nichols? Really with the lactic acid? I forgot how much that shit hurts your muscles. I mean for real. Ouch to the soreness in my thighs and arms right now.

After the work-out, I had the following two very important errands to run:

1. Spray tan
2. ATM stop

Both of these errands occurred. Might I add, spray tanning is the way to go. I am tan, cancer-free, and wrinkle-free. Nice work spray tan God. 

But, during my ATM stop, I decided I needed to find the perfect nail polish color for my pedi/mani later that day, in preparation for some EPIC NY EVE fun tomorrow evening. I already had the color at home, I thought I would use, but decided against it. Super weird fact about me: I prefer to always bring my own color to the salon. My nails love to chip and I love to have the matching color with me to touch-up (whether in the car, bathroom, bar, etc.). So anyways... I decided against that color and was on a hunt! I ended up going to not 1, not 2, but THREE different stores to finally find the exact color/texture I was looking for. At store number 2, I started laughing to myself. Here, I was, on a nail polish hunt, looking like:

baggy sweatpants, long sleeve shirt with college t-shirt over, vest, Nike flip flops, hair pulled back with a Nike running band, glasses, reeking like chlorine (even with a good shower after, the odor lingers), and freshly sprayed with tanning colors.

Not the image of someone that would run to 3 different stores for nail polish (did I mention the winning polish, has a touch of glitter in it? Don't hate, celebrate on NY Eve). Nor, a person that may or may not have returned her jewelry for her dress immediately after she purchased it, as she found way cuter accessories at a different store. Nor a person, that over packs. Nor a person, that loves loves loves clothes, jewelry, shoes, and all things "girlie."

Oldest lesson in the world: Don't judge a book by its cover.

As the New Year approaches, so do New Year's Resolutions. I have never been big for these. If you want to change something, do it then. You don't need a night/day change for resolutions. But, for this year, I have some lofty goals. So, instead of resolutions, I share with you my 2011 Goals (kinda the same thing?! I know. But whatev, it works so go with it).

1. Stay committed to my blog. My blog = accountability to my healthy lifestyle, my training regime, and my road to the Half Ironman in 2012.
2. Don't be so quick to judge a book by its cover. I do it way too often, way too quickly. Lesson learned today.
3. Embrace change
4. Remember my blessings, be thankful for all that I have, love my puppies, and continue to be a great wife/partner to Troy.

And just for fun, this would be my ultimate 2011 goal:

5. Find someone/something to back me in a financial investment, to open up a non-profit organization that supports over-weight teenagers in their quest to a healthier lifestyle.  (Thanks MTV for taking my dream.)

Have a great NY Eve. Be safe. Bring it 2011.

Sometimes you just have to DRINK!

I have three different topics, running through my head that may or may not make it to the blog. In no particular order they are: lame swim coaches that sit on their bum all morning during practice and never really "coach," a nasty older woman in the Y locker room, that loves to make snide comments about my shoes of choice, or ... Sometimes you just have to DRINK!

Topic 3 it is! The other two, may show-up someday. But, for right now, it isn't in my heart to blog about anything negative, given the spirit of the season. To the lame swim coach - I wish you health and happiness (and a new outlook on your coaching skills come January). To the mean old woman - I wish you a very Merry Christmas (and the ability to someday appreciate leopard print stilettos), and to the drinking... well, well, well..... it was a fabulous night.

Let me preface this story, by saying, I am not a huge drinker. I drank my share in college (I think the majority of us did), but I was also never opposed to serving as the DD. I honestly can go months without touching a drink. I don't crave a glass of wine or a mixed drink when I get home from work. I tend to drink more in the summer, than any other season (perhaps a direct correlation with our boating hobby? Yes, I believe so). And honestly, I tend to steer clear of it manly because of the extra calories, which lead to extra food calorie intake. You get the picture.

Anyways, it was the Night of Vacation Eve and a number of good friends, along with myself, felt it important to celebrate in style. We started with dinner, some sangria, and moved into other drinks of the season (bud light is ALWAYS in season - right?!). Anyways, we all had a VERY SAFE (our husbands were DD'ers) and FUN evening. You know the kind of laughing that hurts your stomach and makes your cheeks sore from smiling? That was the evening.

My point, is to not advertise my drinking adventure last evening. Rather, my point is to say this:

Even while living a health style, committing to gym time, training for races, and monitoring my calories SOMETIMES you just have to DRINK! (or what ever "bad" habit you chose for yourself). You just have to do it and NOT worry about the calories, the carbs, the fat, the fiber, etc. You just need to smile, laugh until it hurts, and slug a bud light with some of the best people you know. It was an epic night, with so many laughs. I am blessed to have such amazing friends in my life.

Enjoy the Holiday Season. Take in life, drink a glass of wine ( or 3), be merry, be bright, and smile.


Merry Christmas everyone and a very happy and healthy New Year. I have a feeling 2011 is going to be my best one yet.

I love this song...

Marry Me ~ Train

This song is amazing. 

Forever can never be long enough for me
Feel like I've had long enough with you
Forget the world now we won't let them see
But there's one thing left to do

Now that the weight has lifted
Love has surely shifted my way
Marry Me
Today and every day
Marry Me
If I ever get the nerve to say
Hello in this cafe
Say you will
Mm-hmm
Say you will
Mm-hmm

Together can never be close enough for me
Feel like I am close enough to you
You wear white and I'll wear out the words I love
And you're beautiful
Now that the wait is over
And love and has finally shown her my way
Marry me
Today and every day
Marry me
If I ever get the nerve to say hello in this cafe
Say you will
Mm-hmm
Say you will
Mm-hmm

Promise me
You'll always be
Happy by my side
I promise to
Sing to you
When all the music dies

And marry me
Today and everyday
Marry me
If I ever get the nerve to say hello in this cafe
Say you will
Mm-hmm
Say you will
Marry me
Mm-hmm


This is my new favorite running song. Not very upbeat, but the lyrics are fab.

Accountability

Accountability for me = this blog. This became a reality last evening, as I was headed home from work. I had the following things on my to-do list:

1. Stop at the ATM
2. Wash the Equinox (holy salt stains!)

I had this item on my "I should really do this list, but I might skip, because I don't want to see that I gained anything."

3. Stop at my WW meeting, get weighed-in.

After all, it was a Thursday..

So, I complete my mandatory to-do list. Next item: do I jump on 75N and head to MI, to enjoy my guilt-free dinner with Troy or do I take the time to weigh-in? I had this whole thing justified in my head to NOT weigh-in. The justification sounded a little something like: 

I really want to switch my meetings back to Mondays (same leader that I love hosts Monday meetings near my work, as well as Thursday meetings). Which means, I could weigh-in Monday and not this Thursday. I also, want to make sure I attend one of my meetings before Christmas is here and I knew next Thursday was out-of-the question. So, the Monday solution seemed to be a perfect fit. Except, the little voice, somehow did not agree. And this is why:

"Sue" it said. "You have followers that read your blog and know that your weigh-in day is Thursday. Some of them come to your blog to follow your progress and to find a little (not a ton), but a little bit of motivation. How pathetic will it look, when you totally lame-out and don't weigh-in? The worst part will be your stupid excuse about "Monday, meeting, blah, blah, blah."

So............................. guess where the Equinox took me? That's right. I headed to my WW meeting. I walked in, unloaded my gear, and stepped up to that scale.

DOWN 0.8! I WILL TAKE IT! :) I lost 4.0 last week (which is very unusual for my body). So to lose another.8 this week is great for me. Yes, I will take it. Your body sheds the weight, when it wants to (well that and when you eat less and move more). 

So there you have it. I weighed-in, I lost, I drove home and had a deliciously unhealthy meal with Troy (pizza last night). Woke up this morning and back to the gym: 30 minutes on the treadmill (running inclines HURT!), weights, and abs. My abs are sore, as I type this.

This week, I commit to the following:

1. Less Diet Coke, more water. Water is your friend.
2. Eating the raw dough, while baking cookies, does indeed still count towards calorie/fat intake. I need to reverse this logic, in my brain.
3. More weights.

And yes, I will be switching to Monday weigh-ins and meeting days. But rest assured, this Thursday, I made it.

Thanks for keeping me accountable blog. 

Happy Friday to one and all. Over and out.

Very cool

Just read this link and tell me this isn't cool:

READ ME

215 pounds

215 (give or take a few) pounds is how much the Biggest Loser At-Home Winner lost last night. 215 pounds?! Holy shit, that is a person. That could be two people, if you are a size 2. Wow. Beyond impressive. Not to mention motivating.

I went to bed all pumped up last night, after watching the BL, to meet Coach Nichols at the gym around 5:30 a.m. My alarm went off at 4:20 a.m. and then Troy's alarm (whohoo Troy is home for a two plus weeks!) went off around 4:35 a.m. And then, I sent this lame text to Nichols:

"Not feeling so hot this morning. I'll hit the gym after work. See you tomorrow for a pool session in the am."

LIES LIES LIES LIES LIES LIES LIES. I was FINE. I may have not been feeling 100%, but I was FINE to work-out. My text message should have read:

"It is 4:30 a.m. My bed is really warm. My dogs are nestled next to Troy and snoring away. Troy is home. I am going to say F the gym and stay cuddled with my husband, in our warm, big, amazing, bed."

But, instead. I lied. Which of course, bit me in the ass. Did I mention Nichols and Troy work together? Did I mention, they were both in the office today? Did I mention they exchanged stories about my txt msg? Whatev I lied. It was wrong of me. And I have been feeling guilty all day about it. The worst part is, Nichols had his super cool wife even send me a txt that said:

"Heard you aren't feeling so well. Hope you are ok..."

Riiiiiigggghhhhttttt. Way to set me up for that one. I totally deserved it.

Anyways, I was super lame and lazy this morning. I should have rolled into my car and gone to the gym. Instead, I rolled back into bed. Lesson learned.

I will however, honor my word (to some degree) and work-out after I blog this. So atleast, I have that going for me.

Last thought, before I go sweat my double-chin off (or try to)....... last night, while watching the BL, a mother of 4, that was eliminated early on, was asked this question:

Allison: "What is your biggest excuse you find yourself saying to not work-out?"

Mom Contestant (looked Allison dead in the eye and said): "There are no excuses. Make it a priority for yourself. Love yourself enough to do it for you."

No excuses. I'm coming after you 70.3. Just watch me.

'Tis the Season...

This might be a cliche bog entry, as it is the Holiday Season, but do something good this month. Volunteer, give some cash to the bell ringerss outside of Walmart, buy some gifts for the less fortunate, invite someone to your home for Christmas dinner, adopt a pet (a dog preferably), or just be nice to one another!

As, I earlier blogged, this will be my very first Christmas away from my side of the family. And, as I also mentioned, I am struggling with it. This is not a reflection upon Troy's family. It is just "the first one away" and that one is always the most difficult. But, as one of my good friends reminded me "just be thankful your parents are still living and you have both families to share one/or the other holiday with." Good point.

Troy's family celebrates Christmas on Christmas Eve, so we will be headed back to our home on Christmas day. We thought a lot about what we would do that day (as neither wanted to cook a big dinner for just the two of us). Yes, we will open our gifts and celebrate "our" (our includes our dogs' stockings) Christmas, but we wanted to do something more. So, we decided upon serving dinner at the Cherry St. Mission in Toledo. Needless to say, we went to our Volunteer Orientation this past Saturday and we are all set. We will be serving Christmas dinner at 4:30 p.m. to all those less fortunate. It is a small act of kindness, but one, we are happy to do, as we give-back to the local community.

Are you paying-it-forward this month?

I need some MOTIVATION TODAY!

Ever have one of those Sundays, when you just don't have any motivation?!  I am there, right now. Perhaps, because Troy has been home for a whole 48 (plus) hours. So sitting on the couch with him, watching the snow fall, and catching up on some football scores just seems better.  Yes, it definitely does.

And, then I received a FB message from a friend, that said they needed to go running today, but they were lacking motivation. To gather some motivation, they checked my blog. FML. I mean, if others are looking at my blog for motivation, I can't be a lazzy piece of garbage.

So, I jumped on my blog, to write about my lack of motivation and to fix it. I will finish some cleaning, prepare dinner for later, and then decide between a very winter wonderland run or some Billy Blanks upstairs. If I opt for the run, Captain is going to have to suffer through it with me. He loves the snow and would probably benefit from a jog around the LP this afternoon.

Happy (lazy) Sunday everyone.

4 POUNDS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Let me start with this: I have a love-hate relationship with weigh-in days. Even when I lose, I mentally pysch myself out, that next week I will gain. Chalk it up to years of dealing with weight struggles. But, last night, at my weigh-in with WW I had a glorious moment.

Plug for WW: The new WW Points Plus plan IS SUPER FABULOUS!!!! I mean FINALLY, they are looking at more than just fiber and fat. They are looking at carbs and protein. Imagine that! Thank you WW for stepping into 2010. We hope to see you throughout 2011 and beyond.

So, I get to my meeting (remember, no matter WHAT, I am eating my cheat meal afterwards!). I step up (after I remove all my clunky, heavy jewelry, shoes, etc.) I felt fat. I  just had a Diet Coke that afternoon, as I was super tired. And I felt like the Diet Coke was just sitting in my stomach, waiting to screw my weigh-in. But, the gods were on my side last night: 4 POUNDS DOWN BITCHES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

4 Pounds. Not .5, 1, not 2, not 2.3, not 3, but 4! This is HUGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THE MOST I HAVE EVER LOST IN ONE WEEK! :) Honestly, I average .5 - 1.2 pds, week. Normally 4, can take me close to a month. Again, many props to WW for the new plan! 

Other reasons, why I think I kicked ass:

1. Coach Nichols and our new swim work-outs
2. Non fat Greek protein yogurt with blackberries. I love you so. You are always in my frig.
3. Weight lifting has re-entered my life. Cardio is great, but you gotta do weights. It only took me 3 years to really get this. But, now I embrace it and hang out with the "big boys and girls" in the free weight section. (I benched this morning, with Troy. He spotted for me - how cute, I know).

So, there you have it. 4 pounds. To some, it might be nothing. To me, it is everything.

And yes, for those that are wondering, I had the most delicous cheat-meal last evening, filled with mozz. sticks, chicken wraps, and 8 onion rings. And, just like I said, this morning I was back to my V8 juice and hard-boiled egg before the gym.

4 pounds - my ass, my thighs, and my stomach will not miss you.

Happy Happy Friday.

Thursdays are FABULOUS!

Thursdays are my cheat day. Hence, I love you Thursday.

I weigh-in every Thursday (or every-other, depending my work and travel schedule). No matter if I lose or add, I always allow myself a cheat day (usually it is only a cheat dinner, but it still works!).

I am not obsessed with the numbers on the scale, as much as I use to be. So if I do go up some, I don't fret. I know my BMI continues to fall, as does my percentage of fat (get tested, it is pretty cool. Then go back every 3 months...even better.). Sometimes I view the scale, the same way I view standardized tests; YOUR ACT, SAT, LSAT are not TRUE indicators of how one will perform in college or law school. To my scale: sometimes your NUMBERS are not TRUE indicators of how hard I've worked that week, month, etc. Sometimes your numbers are just lame.

So, either way, tonight I will feast on some fabulous onion rings and a chicken wrap of some-sort. Tomorrow, I go back to hard boiled eggs, greek protein yogurt, and salads. But, tonight, I enjoy.

I love you cheat day, oh yes I do.

Don't ever hate on Biggest Loser work-out DVDs

I didn't wake up and drive to the gym this morning. Why? Honestly, my dogs. I am filled with guilt on the mornings I leave them at 4:45 a.m. It is just too much for them (I am not kidding) and so, instead, I woke up around 5:15 a.m. and decided to do a DVD work-out video. I have quite the collection of Billy Blanks (two thumbs way up for core workout!), Core Shred, and Biggest Loser DVDs. I started the collection the winter before we were married. I was not a gym-rat at that point of my life, but had reached an age, that made me refuse to run in weather colder than 20 degrees. So, per the recommendation of my Weight Watcher leader, I started buying these DVDs. And, to be quite frank, before I did them, I thought "these things are going to be a joke." False. False. False. They kick your ass. Billy Blanks and Bob (what's his last name?) Biggest Loser trainer dude, do not mess around.

So that was almost three winters ago. Now, with the type of training I am currently doing, I consider my work-outs to be a bit more intense. I haven't really touched the DVDs in almost a year plus, as now, I am THAT gym rat. But, this morning, as my "parenting" guilt kicked in, I opted for a cardio/weight DVD work out with Bob. HOLY LOVE OF GOD. 40 minutes of upper body weights and cardio mixed together. HOLY LOVE OF GOD. I could barely sit down today at work.

2 minutes in... pure sweat
5 minutes in... I had second thoughts
25 minutes in..... if I had to do one more squat-thrust with arm weights, I really thought I was going to cry.

Point being: Do not hate on these DVD work-outs. That shit is serious. Might I add, my adorable dogs, sat on the couch and watched my every move for the 40 minutes. These are the moments, when I know they love me. 

Anyways, I HIGHLY recommend to anyone reading this, that are not gym rats, to purchase some work-out DVDs and go at it! Jillian Michaels (although, I find her a bit annoying!) 30 Day Shed, Billy Blanks Taebo sessions, and all Biggest Loser work-outs are worth the investment. Good luck.

Switching gears, this evening...NEW TOPIC: GRATITUDE.

Yesterday, I was asked: "How do you think about what to blog about?" My response: "Anything that strikes a cord with me during the day, deserves some blog time." Hence, this second addition, this evening.

About 10 minutes ago, I received a Facebook message from an old high school friend. It REALLY REALLY meant a lot to me. She complimented me on my blog, my progress, and my dedication. She also said, I am keeping her motivated. Wow. Those words, that message - it meant a lot. Thank you to that person (you know who you are!). Any yes, if I can get up to go to the pool, you can roll out of bed, to hit the treadmill. :)

This friend, is not the only one that has sent me encouraging words, since I started this. To ALL OF YOU, that have messaged, read, followed, etc. I thank you. As I mentioned in my very first blog, I was incredibly hesitant to start this (I have always been worried about what "others" would say/think of me). And yet, the outpouring of support towards me has been ridiculously awesome.  And might I add, the more I blog, the more I share, and the more honest I am... the less I care what "others think." Funny, how life happens like that.

 So, to everyone that comes to my blog and reads about my journey and the stories - thank you.  Thanks for reading, thanks for following along, and thanks for motivating me. And to think, this has only been a month. I truly look forward to the road to 70.3 and I hope you continue to stay tuned. Much love.

Carol's Chocolate Chip Cookies - I stand corrected!

I had to enter these emails, into a blog. She has corrected me on the chocolate-chip cookie making process.  My mom, is awesome. She rocks. Anyone that irons all of the girls "go-out" dresses two nights before my wedding rocks. No questions asked. And if you are wondering, I believe she ironed almost 10 that night, as the rest of us ran around and got ready.

Anyways, this is the my email to Mom this afternoon:

Mom,

Here is the link to my blog. Some of the entries will bore you, but some are quite humorous. Click on this link:

http://www.703-thisonesforme.blogspot.com/

It will take you to the blog. Then, on the right hand side, there are all my blog entries (each one has a title). To review all of the entire in November, click on the little “>” arrow thing next to November and my entries will show. Click on each entry to read. My first one, was obviously the first one listed in November (at the bottom of the list…start bottom to top). Repeat this same process for December entries.

Your chocolate chip cookies (I write about these in a few November entries) have caused quite the stir on Facebook. People are trying to recreate… I kid you not. I received a bunch of messages about “how to do them” or “I am trying to bake them right now” this past weekend. I made Carol’s Chocolate-Chip Cookies famous. I rock.

Ok that is the real news.

But, for real, the blog …a good fun project to go through, sometime when you are bored. Which, you are never bored, because (in my best Carol voice) “I have a life now!”

I have cc’d your other daughter to this email, to bring her amusement during her daily work travels.

That is all.

Love me.

This is my mom's email back to me:

This is funny (HA-HA) reading!  However, I do bake the cookies longer than 2.5 minutes.  I take them out JUST PRIOR to completion, and then let sit on the sheet for a minute or so, then remove to cool.  THEN freeze. 

I stand corrected Carol.

Solo Swim

Coach Nichols and I, got our memos screwed up this morning, so we worked out solo. Not as fun, but still got a good 2500 yd swim work-out in. After leaving the locker room, I signed Troy and I up for winter spin classes at 6 a.m. on Friday mornings. Let me just say... this is BIG for Troy. He HATES morning work-out sessions and the fact that he is honestly moving towards them is huge. He also, normally, never travels on Friday, so the Friday class worked. I also think, he kinda misses running with me (even when I do turn into a super bitch at mile 8!) and he wants to get in on our morning Y work-out fun. I love Troy for a lot of reasons, but at the end of the day, he is my number one supporter, running partner, and work-out lover. He supports me in every goal I put out there and when I say "oh, I'll never do an Ironman, just a Half." He responds "Right, Sue. Okay, so see you in 2013 for your Ironman." I never believed in "fate" or "the one." Then I met Troy, I dated Troy, and I married Troy. Sure, we have ours fights ( Troy doesn't yell, which really annoys me sometimes, because I yell!) and sure, we are incredibly stubborn and refuse to give in. But, at the end of the day, when all is done and said, fate played a HUGE part in us getting together and yes, he is the one. Much love to you Ballard! Fly safe today from FL to Jersey and the puppies and I can't wait for your return on Thursday evening! :)

Ok, so back to the spin class stuff... I am pumped for them. I love a good spin workout, especially during the winter months, when our bikes hang, sadly, from the ceiling of our garage. Which reminds me, I need to purchase new bike shoes and pedals stat. I would love to teach some part-time classes at the Y. I miss coaching kids and being on a pool deck, teaching adults how to swim. Maybe, I will add this to my to-do list - teach again at the Y.

Anyways, I have mentioned BenDoesLife.com before (the whole reason I started my own blog). Here is the link to his weight loss video on utube. Watch it and not cry; I dare you.

This is motivation

Do life today.

Much love.

Insanity...

I am insane. My alarm went off at 4 a.m. to meet Nichols (Matt) at the pool by 5:30 a.m. Matt lectured me via text message this weekend to be on time (lets keep in mind he lives 10 min from the Y we go to and I live a good 30 plus) or I would be suffering through underwater 25s.

I was there, on time, and still asleep.

Only insane people wake up at 4 a.m. to go swim in a pool. And yet, when I walked into the locker room at 5:15 a.m. there are women ALREADY FINISHED with their workout and showering. Now, who is insane?!

Below is the work-out. I am sore. I am tired. But, it felt good. Nice work Coach Nichols (and a shout out to you for your 7 pd weight loss this week). I am proud of you (and totally envious, as it takes me almost 6 weeks to lose 7 pds)! No but seriously... awesome work. Keep it up. Only 8 months before your Half Ironman! :)

200 swim
100 drill
100 kick
100 pull

8 x50 E/H, H/E/ H/H/ E/E (10 seconds rest)

That was warm-up... then the ladder set came:

4 x 50 on :45 (I made them with 2 seconds to go)
3 x100 on 1:30 (I made 2)
2 x 150 on 2:15 (by this point, I just kept swimming)

200 easy kick and discuss life

2 x150 on 2:!5 (zoomers are my friends. I was holding these on 1:50)
3 x 100 on 1:30 (1:15ish)
4 x 50 (Took the zoomers off, to be hard core like Matt. Which, he later informed me he was enjoying drafting off of me and was mildly upset, when I took the zoomers off for the 50s. I used to flip out on those that "drafted" during college work out sets. What a schmuck.)

2 x 50 lactic acid on 1:00. I will not share my times, because they were horrible.

4 x 50 kick on 1:15

4 x25 U/O deal

200 warm down aka 125 for me. I hate warm down - always have, always will.


Our friend, the male splasher was there again this morning. Lost to whom I am referring. Read: http://703-thisonesforme.blogspot.com/2010/11/5-x-100-on-130-i-am-old.html

To close, on a very high note for Monday, please check this utube video out. This is my FAVORITE song to work-out to and it only pumps me up for Summer 2012. I will cross that finish line!

Half Ironman. Summer 2012. Be There.


Have a great Monday all. :)

48 Hour Relationship

I just finished watching one of my favorite episodes of 901210 ever. It was the Christmas one, when they are in high school and Brandon creates fake snow for his mom. I cried at the end. Troy, also left for another 5 day trip this morning at 6 a.m. Perhaps my tears are connected.

Let me say, we are lucky and incredibly thankful for both of our jobs. NW Ohio took a major hit in the fall of 2008 and it is slowly rebuilding itself. Needless to say, jobs, in the Ohio/Detroit, Michigan right now are few and far between. So, yes, we are very thankful and blessed.

With that being said, Troy's travel has increased dramatically over the last three months. He is working on a new product for Owen's Corning and thus, with any start-up program, his travel multiplies. He arrived home late Thursday night, was in school all day Friday, we spent Saturday together, and then he flew out early this morning. The travel can get old, quickly (especially when the Grinch that Stole Christmas airs on ABC and your best friend is not there to watch it with you). But, like I said, we make it work and I really try not to complain too much. The good news, he will be home for two full weeks around the Holidays. Even better news, new carpeting, new kitchen cabinets, and finishing the mudroom that week. Fabulous.

Troy, if you are reading this right now... no, I am not "writing a list" or "nagging." I am just mentioning how excited I am, for these projects to be done that week. :) The puppies, also will be ecstatic for their new "homes" and sleeping quarters.

I really don't have anything exciting, funny, or profound to write about. Friday night we "date-nighted" it at the gym together, followed by dinner at home, and a little DVR action with Detriot 1-8-7. Saturday, we finished decorating the house, cleaned, finished decorating our living room tree, made dinner, etc. Nothing amazing and yet, to me, just perfect.

I must now, decide whether I will be running outside this morning or sweating my arse off to Billy Blanks. I am feeling Billy and not feeling the cold lake wind.

Until next time...

Option A, B, or C with Ballard

This is a legit email conversation, between Troy and I around 2:30 p.m. on Friday. Troy is sitting in one of his BGSU MBA classes, as we decide our Friday plans (I know, we are super exciting!). I tell you his location, to understand the options presented, as we were super cool (and GREEN!) and helped save the planet and our truck/suv gas bill this morning, as we car pooled to BG.

My email to Troy:

Ok, lets play the Option Game:

Option A: I run around 4 p.m., pick you up at 5 p.m., we hit the Kroger’s on the way home (the list is NOT long.. so don’t fret my pet)

Option B: I grocery shop in town around 4 p.m, pick you up at 5 p.m., we drive home as the Ballards, change, then go the Y in Temperance together, as fabulous work-out lovers.

Option C: I run either before 5 or after 5. You go to the bar and drink, be social, etc. If I run before 5, I will grocery shop, while you drink. If I run after 5, we grocery shop on our way home. Please note, this Option = coolest wife E.V.E.R.

Points to ponder: Our puppies do not need UTIs. Their bladders need to potty before too long.


*** Please note... NO, I am not skipping work. I am working all day tomorrow for a local BG event, so either grocery shopping/running at 4 p.m. is aok. :)

I love Rubens

I love rubens. I crave them each week. They are my "red light food." If I eat one, I crave other food, all night long. It is a bad, ugly, cycle.

Guess what I had for dinner? A ruben. The worst part: I have a horrible cold (same one from Thanksgiving) and I can't even taste my food. Yet, I was "craving" a ruben and fries for dinner (fries are a treat for me). I ordered it and ate it. I guess it was good, given the fact that I really have no clue how it tastes.

Exhibit A of how "cravings" are 100% mental ghosts tring to mess with your body. I didn't have the willpower tonight. This is called being human. But, I am still royally pissed at myself.

Pool workout with Matt at 5:30 a.m. tomorrow morning. He is making up our sets. The ruben and fries should be gone by then.

Screw you ruben craving. Screw you.

Addicted? Maybe so.

So, I can remember a time in my life when I couldn't run a mile, let alone a 5K. Then I ran my first 5K and I thought, I will never run a 10K. And then I ran the 10K. And then came triathlons, halfs, you get the point.

My point for this random thought, is simple:

I continue to complete races (even with some tears), that I never thought possible. As I enter into the next phase of Olympic Triathlon training, to prepare for the Half Ironman training, I continue to tell myself: "I will never complete an Ironman." BUT .... THEN.... TODAY..... I.... THOUGHT....

I might be able to complete that Ironman after all.

Shit, I am screwed.

5 x 100 on 1:30 ... I am old

Do I dare admit, I took the last 3 days off from working out? Friday-Sunday, I was lazy. Friday, we drove back to MI, Saturday we went to our friends for a great party during the OSU vs UM game. Nothing is better than walking in their place, and their adorable 2 year-old running up to me for a big huge, because he has not seen me in a few months. Love that.  Sunday, we had a productive day of Christmas decorating (not finished yet) and tree chopping. So, my legs, arms, body, etc. did not see my running sneakers, the gym, etc. for 3 days. I think my muscles and my knees appreciated it. After the half, I only took one day off. 

So, during the football party on Saturday, one of my friends and I decided pool it was Monday morning.  He and his wife, both were college swimmers.... DI college swimmers. I was, DIII. Remember that.... . Kate, would have been with us, except she is 4.5 months preggo and cute as ever. Troy, doesn't do morning work-outs and doesn't do pool work outs that involve 1000 yds warm-up, pull-buoys, fins, etc. Matt, is training for a half-ironman in August (and trying to to get me to do mine then as well). So, Matt and I, were up and in the pool by 6 a.m. Just like college... all over again....

Except, in college, people knew about swimmer etiquette. When you have 6 lanes and each lane has a swimmer already occupying the lane, you then, swim sides. Apparently, not all of the swimmers, understand or know this rule. After reading my blog, please know and abide by this rule. It's annoying, when people will not share their lane. I promise, I am a nice person and will stay on my side. And really, guy, thrashing your arms about and causing more wake than our boat - it's not necessary and you just looked weird doing whatever it was, you were doing. So, after a warm-up... a "sprint" set came next... and then, it was bad...

During college 5 x 100 on 1:30 would have been part of our warm-up. This morning, at 6:20 a.m., as my friend, Matt and I attempted this set, I wanted to die by number 2. Granted, I have not swam since August (only ran and lifted from August - November, for the half-marathon training). But still, I wanted to die. Matt, kicked my butt. I was ashamed (especailly since I did a LOT of trash talking on Saturday. I ate that trash this morning).

I am in ten times better shape today, than I was in college, and yet, I couldn't hold these. This my friends, is called... .getting old.

And now my arms are sore.

Things to order online: more suits (relax on the bromine/chlorine mix YMCA!), new zoomers, and paddles. Did I mention triathlon training is an expensive hobby?

I won!

I beat those damn cookies. 4 days and 4 nights at Carol's and guess how many cookies? 1, folks,1. Only one dessert after Thanksgiving Feast. I cried like a baby when we left today. I mean blatted my eyes out. Pretty much cried the entire ride home. But, I beat those damn cookies.

Things that are awesome:

Lying on my mom's bed, with Julie, until midnight on the night of Thanksgiving talking about life.
Carol's stuffing
Hearing Grandpa's hunting stories at Thanksgiving
Rocking out a 4.4 mile run the morning of Thanksgiving
Passing the skinny bitches, as I powered up the hills, during the race (to all my skinny friends... I love you dearly and I really only use these words together out of pure envy)
My husband
My two dogs
Watching my two dogs eat too much turkey
Watching Captain climb into bed with mom each night
Visits with old friends
A lot of wine (too much wine)
Working out each day of vacation
Controlling my diet each day of vacation (with splurging on Thanksgiving)

I will now head downstairs, enjoy some delicious pizza with Troy, watch a movie, and unpack my 20 bags tomorrow morning (before I go running, of course).

Life is good, Thanksgiving was awesome, and those damn cookies lost.

Damn those cookies...

I don't think I could have called it any better. As soon as dinner was finished last night, what does mom whip out? But, of course, her delicious chocolate-chip half-baked cookies. FML.

Good news: Troy and Carol had dessert at the table, I passed.

More good news: Work out on vacation ...Sat, Sun, and Mon - check, check, and check (going to do hill sprint work-outs in about 15 min.) And, might I say, that the Canandaigua YMCA is quite possibly, once of the nicest Y's I have every been in.

Bad news: Damn those chocolate chip cookies.

Packing Problems

I overpacked for NY and Troy is annoyed. He trying to fit the dogs, their cages, their beds, their food, dishes, all of the NY Christmas presents, all my bags, his two bags, and my random "I need this stuff too" bags into the Equinox. It is not going well. Did I mention he is annoyed?

I thought it best to come upstairs, rather than try to assist with the pack process. He has the mind of an engineer... therefore, in my mind, he should be able to make anything fit. I have faith he will make it work. He hasn't let me down yet.

Good news: only one bag of shoes for this trip. Bad news: two bags of my running/work-out gear. Atleast my priorities are in order.


Happy trails.

I love to sleep

What are some of your favorite things? When I awoke around 6:30 a.m., to find both of my dogs curled up next to me (both snoring) and the entire king beg to myself... I checked this into "one of my favorite things." The only way to make it better, would be to add Troy to the mix. But, he was up at 4:30 a.m., covered in deer piss scent, to go be cold in the woods all morning and day, to find the big one. I did it once... hunting that is... and I have yet to go back. Good luck Ballard! Shoot a big one and leave the venisen with your family. Thanks.

We leave for NY Monday (almost a full week in NY!). Usually, our trips are drop-in and drop-out, but we made it a priority to make this holiday last longer. We aren't headed to NY for Christmas and I am already have a major meltdown over not waking up to my mom's Christmas Cinnamon rolls or her egg casserole. Ugh. Don't get me wrong, I love Troy's family and Christmas will be fun. But there is something to be said about the "first" Christmas away from your family. Enough said.

As much as I love to go home to visit, I dread the food piece. For those of you that have not had the pleasure of sampling some of Carol's famous food, I am sorry. Carol is an amazing cook (and a very cool mom) and so, eating at her house is not always the easiest thing to do. She eats very healthy, but its the desserts that get me. Like the chocolate cookies, she bakes for 2.3 minutes and then freezes. She tries to hide them, so we can't see them, but they are always there... lurking in the back of the freezer, with a big magic marker note on them "Chocolate Chip cookies." And then, it's down hill from there. This doesn't include all of the wine..... Julie and Mom love their wine. I love wine when I am with Julie and Mom. You get the picture. Needless to say, I will have to hit the gym (gotta love YMCA memberships) and the hills for some good running, each day I am home.

Troy and I are running the Turkey Trot Thanksgiving morning. When we registered, I called him and said "which are we running - the 2.3  race or the 4.4 race?" Troy's response: "Definitely 4.4, I love me some guilt-free eating." So 4.4 it is on Thanksgiving morning.

My plan is to maintain my work-out schedules through the holidays. Then come, January, I will be back on a strick triathlon training program. Pretty sure my first one will be in NY in early June, followed by some running races, more tris, and whatever I get myself into. When I look back on it, I have been on some type of training programs since last January for one race or another. I like it this way. This, to me, is discipline. I like discipline. I like schedules. So for me, it works.

The frost is just melting and the sun is shining. I'm been battling a cold the last few days, but I must still run. Time to do it. I hope the tunes on my IPod keep my going this morning. Maybe a little Bob Segar to start with... or Crosby Stills & Nash. Don't judge.

Why am I doing this? Good question... I'm not sure, but I am.

The first blog. Sad to say, I am procrastinating a run by figuring out how to design my blog and make it fun. I need to get off my butt, grab Captain (one of my dogs) and get in atleast 3 miles today. But, the wind is gross, the air is cold, and the lake looks grey. Blah... who wants to run in those conditions?! Not me, but I will....

A bit more, before I change and brave the cold air of Luna Pier. I have been debating about a  blog about my/our races, my/our weight lost journey, etc. for some time now. But, it seemed so personal, so public, so "out-there." And then I read BenDoesLife.com. If you want to talk about motivating - read it, read it now, read it daily, and do life. So ...here we go.

For me, I have lost nearly 45 pds, since I graduated high school. College, especially my swim coach and the swim team, changed my life (but I did not know that then). But, if I go into  that all now, I will never run today. Let's just say - being overweight in middle school and high school is not a good time. Let me also say, I was lucky enough to have some of the bestfriends in MS/HS a girl could ever ask for, so for about 90% of my time there, I absolutely loved every minute.

College, changed my life. And since college to now, I have tried to figure out a healthy lifestyle. Do I really need to eat healthy? Do I really need to go the gym? Do I really need to lift weights? Yes, yes, and yes. I am one of those people, that if I look at cake, it goes straight to my ass (actually my chin, but ass sounds so much better). It runs in my family. For years I cursed God for it. But, I now look at it as this: it is what it is, it is part of my life, and I am better person for being as disciplined as I am, because of it (well most days, I can view it like this and other days, I still curse God for it and then eat a pizza).

 In the last two years, I think I finally found what works for me and what doesn't. Before my wedding, I was at my lowest weight of my adult life (I mean, I am talking since 7th grade and on!). Since then, I gained 20 back last winter, went nuts last spring, lost about 15, gained 5 this fall, lost that, and am now trying to shake the last 5, before I try for 50 more before my 30th birthday in June. If I don't make it by June, that is okay. But I am going to maintain a healthy lifestyle and live. I love my life and the healthier I become, the more I love it. That's enough for this piece for now... I need to run sometime today.

Side note --I am not comfortable sharing my weight numbers yet. As it is, I loath the scale. But, perhaps as I continue to blog with the world to see, I will one day post. For now, that's between me and my WW scale (yes, I do WW and yes, I know all the points to food).

More to come on my past..in a later blog.

*Second Side note - Troy, my husband, has lost over 80 pounds since we first met. Pictures to follow. He went from a cute football player, to hot frattastic (my word, don't hate on it) tri-athlete. I will talk alot about Troy in this blog. Yes, because he is a cool husband. But more so, because he is the only other person that really gets this journey I have gone on (will always be on) and he makes me run 10 miles, when I would rather slice my wrists. I kid, I kid.

I promised the "before pic" .. here it is. This is of us, our first summer dating (I don't even recognize Troy in this picture):

And then this is of us, in November '10, during our trip to TX to run the half. I still have a ways to go, but I will make it. :) Troy, looks fabulous. (I realize it is blurry... but it works).

But, to keep it short, here are some things I can promise you from this blog:

Misspelled words (sorry mom!)
Grammatical errors (again, sorry mom!)
Honesty
Humor
A lot of sarcasm
Pictures
Captain and Bailey stories (if you don't own a dog, get one. If you don't like dogs, then I don't like you)
Tales of Troy
Family
A real, honest look at this journey I am on
Blogs about running, swimming, biking, lifting weights, and eating healthy
Blogs about not working out, feeling guilty, and eating crappy food
Blogs about running races as "the chunky girl"
Blogs about Bloody Marys... I love me some Bloody Marys (I drink one after ever race I do!)
Swear words (I swear up a storm when I run... especially past 8 miles. Ask Troy).
Funny stories
Lame stories
Random stories
Random quotes
Questions
Goals
And my life

As my title says... 70.3 ... this ones for me.

Stay tuned ...

(Going out for a run ... even Captain doesn't want to go today)