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.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Monday, November 29, 2010
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?
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?
Friday, November 26, 2010
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.
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.
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
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.
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.
Sunday, November 21, 2010
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 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.
Saturday, November 20, 2010
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.
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.
Friday, November 19, 2010
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)
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)
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