A couple weeks ago my rant was regarding the stupidity of Keith Ballard in taking out his own goalie, Thomas Vokoun. I was pretty fired up when I wrote that but that was nothing to how I feel about last nights Caps v Avalanche game.
David Koci is my new target and this is much more serious than my Keith Ballard rant. Those folks that know me know I love the Caps and Mike Green is my top defensive player. The hit that David Koci put on Mike Green last night was yet another example of the craziness that is happening in hockey. As of this writing there is still no announcement that Koci is going to get suspended. How the heck is that possible.
Please watch the video
The hit was unacceptable on anyone, including Sidney Crosby (who I am NOT a fan of). So NHL what are you going to do....anything. At this point I'm assuming not, why, because Mike Green plays for the Washington Caps and is the teammate of Alex Ovechkin, who seems to be the latest target for the NHL referees. Alex was recently suspended for 2 games because of this hit
You tell me which hit you think was worse.
Please Gary Bettman, don't continue to disappoint me and redeem an ounce of respect and do something.
So far the good news is that while Mikey has a black eye and some stitches they are still planning on him playing on Friday.
Grand Cayman...hmmmm warm
We are back from our week vacation in Grand Cayman. We had a great trip, really it was a lazy week on the beach.
Here is a quick run down of the week:
1. Beautiful 80+ weather every day. Sprinkled 2 days but really not worth mentioning.
2. Snorkeling - There was a small reef right off the beach in front of the resort (Marriott Beach Resort), I saw the largest parrot fish I've ever seen. We did an excursion to Sting Ray Bay, which was cool.
3. Worked out every day! Yes I did. I walked the beach every day, anywhere from 2-4 miles and then worked out in the afternoon in the gym. I'm very proud of that, considering some of the great food we ate.
4. Cimboco - if you ever make it to Grand Cayman, you have to go eat at this place, they have the best Chocolate Pecan Pie I have ever tasted. We actually visited on 2 occasions just for dessert.
5. Fidel Murphy's - an actual Irish Pub in Grand Cayman. It looked very similar to Fado's and made us feel right at home. We spent a couple nights there enjoying Guinness and Strongbow.
6. Variety of food off the resort - we only ate dinner at the Marriott one time (very pricey), there were many restaurants within walking distance of the resort that we loved (Chicken Chicken, Cimboco, The Wharf, Fidel Murphy's).
7. Customer Service - the staff at the Marriott were AWESOME. Before our adventure I of course tried to find as much information as possible about the resort and found several write-ups regarding poor service. Well we found nothing but the opposite, everyone was extremely nice, always a friendly smile and Good Morning, offering to make reservations, providing directions for various restaurants, etc. We felt extremely welcomed.
So we are now back, sad but always happy to return home!
Here is a quick run down of the week:
1. Beautiful 80+ weather every day. Sprinkled 2 days but really not worth mentioning.
2. Snorkeling - There was a small reef right off the beach in front of the resort (Marriott Beach Resort), I saw the largest parrot fish I've ever seen. We did an excursion to Sting Ray Bay, which was cool.
3. Worked out every day! Yes I did. I walked the beach every day, anywhere from 2-4 miles and then worked out in the afternoon in the gym. I'm very proud of that, considering some of the great food we ate.
4. Cimboco - if you ever make it to Grand Cayman, you have to go eat at this place, they have the best Chocolate Pecan Pie I have ever tasted. We actually visited on 2 occasions just for dessert.
5. Fidel Murphy's - an actual Irish Pub in Grand Cayman. It looked very similar to Fado's and made us feel right at home. We spent a couple nights there enjoying Guinness and Strongbow.
6. Variety of food off the resort - we only ate dinner at the Marriott one time (very pricey), there were many restaurants within walking distance of the resort that we loved (Chicken Chicken, Cimboco, The Wharf, Fidel Murphy's).
7. Customer Service - the staff at the Marriott were AWESOME. Before our adventure I of course tried to find as much information as possible about the resort and found several write-ups regarding poor service. Well we found nothing but the opposite, everyone was extremely nice, always a friendly smile and Good Morning, offering to make reservations, providing directions for various restaurants, etc. We felt extremely welcomed.
So we are now back, sad but always happy to return home!
Vokoun taken out by teammate
Maybe it's because I'm in a bad mood, grumpy that I didn't get to eat dinner, but I have to rant a bit so bare with me.
I know that anyone that actually reads this blog might not be interested in hockey, sorry!
Here is a link to an article regarding Keith Ballard taking out his own goalie, Tomas Vokoun, because in anger he swung his stick at the goal and whacked Vokoun in the head, after Ilya Kovalchuk schooled Richards and scored a goal.
Vokoun left the game on a stretcher and had to get stitches, fortunately nothing worse. I can only imagine how much it's going to hurt when he puts that goalie mask back on.
Now, yes I do have a soft spot for Thomas Vokoun because he was my #1 goalie on my fantasy hockey team last year and yes I do have a soft spot for goalies in general because that is my favorite position in hockey (yes that is true, despite Mike Green being a defensemen, I still love the goalies)!
The article informs us that the Florida Panthers nor the NHL will penalize Ballard for his actions. OK, I was not at the game, and I have only seen the replays that I can find online or that have been on every sports channel. The article indicates that Ballard was "visibly" upset, I didn't see that in any of the footage. But beside that what the was he thinking???? The net belongs to the goalie, if they get angry and want to crack their stick on the side of the goal then great, because obviously they won't be in goal but you make that decision when your goalie is in goal. Where did you think he went??
OK, Ballard is upset and I'm sure regrets his actions and would love to roll back time, but he unleashed uncalled for fury. Yes I said that about a hockey player.
The number of injuries for goalies has increased significantly over the past couple of years and yet referees continue to let players intentionally take out goalies with no penalties but if a goalie retaliates they get a penalty.
My theory is that the little blue space in between those pipes belongs to the goalie and if you enter that realm then good luck to you because you are now at the mercy of some of the most amazing goalies!
Now that doesn't resolve this current situation, I do think that Ballard should be penalized, I agree he didn't mean to do it but he did deliberately swing that stick at the goal. Why is that any different than someone that intentionally head hunts or a player that intentionally leaves his skates to take someone out?
Just my thoughts, thus the title of this blog "Talking to Myself."
Get well soon Tomas Vokoun! and no I'm not a Florida Panthers fan, just a hockey / goalie fan :>)
I know that anyone that actually reads this blog might not be interested in hockey, sorry!
Here is a link to an article regarding Keith Ballard taking out his own goalie, Tomas Vokoun, because in anger he swung his stick at the goal and whacked Vokoun in the head, after Ilya Kovalchuk schooled Richards and scored a goal.
Vokoun left the game on a stretcher and had to get stitches, fortunately nothing worse. I can only imagine how much it's going to hurt when he puts that goalie mask back on.
Now, yes I do have a soft spot for Thomas Vokoun because he was my #1 goalie on my fantasy hockey team last year and yes I do have a soft spot for goalies in general because that is my favorite position in hockey (yes that is true, despite Mike Green being a defensemen, I still love the goalies)!
The article informs us that the Florida Panthers nor the NHL will penalize Ballard for his actions. OK, I was not at the game, and I have only seen the replays that I can find online or that have been on every sports channel. The article indicates that Ballard was "visibly" upset, I didn't see that in any of the footage. But beside that what the
OK, Ballard is upset and I'm sure regrets his actions and would love to roll back time, but he unleashed uncalled for fury. Yes I said that about a hockey player.
The number of injuries for goalies has increased significantly over the past couple of years and yet referees continue to let players intentionally take out goalies with no penalties but if a goalie retaliates they get a penalty.
My theory is that the little blue space in between those pipes belongs to the goalie and if you enter that realm then good luck to you because you are now at the mercy of some of the most amazing goalies!
Now that doesn't resolve this current situation, I do think that Ballard should be penalized, I agree he didn't mean to do it but he did deliberately swing that stick at the goal. Why is that any different than someone that intentionally head hunts or a player that intentionally leaves his skates to take someone out?
Just my thoughts, thus the title of this blog "Talking to Myself."
Get well soon Tomas Vokoun! and no I'm not a Florida Panthers fan, just a hockey / goalie fan :>)
Training Update
I realized it's been awhile since my last fitness/training update and I'm sure everyone thinks I've been off my game.....well not completely.
Back in September I wrote what my goals were going to be for the next 16 weeks, so I thought I would do a quick check in to let everyone know that I'm not too far off track.
1. Get back on track with my weight loss and actually get to my goal weight of 145-150.
UPDATE: Well I must admit while in Texas I enjoyed all the BBQ and Tex Mex I could find and did gain a few lbs but tomorrow is weigh in day and I think I'm going to be back down to the weight I was before I left. Still not at the 145-150 goal but I'm making progress. While my weight loss has been slow, I'm definitely committed to keeping it off.
2. Get back on track with healthy eating.
UPDATE: Before heading to Texas and since we have been back, I have been eating very healthy. I'm very pleased that I can have a small splurge every once in awhile.
3. Stick to 16 week fitness plan.
UPDATE: The 16 week plan has been adjusted more than a few times but I'm happy to say that my running, biking and strength training are going well. My swimming has been non-existent, but I'm committed to getting to the pool in the next 2 weeks.
4. Improve swimming.
UPDATE: See update for #2.
5. Improve strength training.
UPDATE: This is going well. The past 3-4 weeks I've increased my reps and weights and in the next week or two I need to change up the actual exercises I do.
So there you have it, not great but still doing well.
I'm registered for 2 sprint tri's in 2010, Columbia Sprint Tri in June, which is the same distance as the Iron Girl and of course the Iron Girl in August.
I was hoping to enter an Olympic distance tri next year but think that goal will need to hold off till 2011. I'm also planning on doing some mini tri's and as you all know I need to really focus on the swimming.
Back in September I wrote what my goals were going to be for the next 16 weeks, so I thought I would do a quick check in to let everyone know that I'm not too far off track.
1. Get back on track with my weight loss and actually get to my goal weight of 145-150.
UPDATE: Well I must admit while in Texas I enjoyed all the BBQ and Tex Mex I could find and did gain a few lbs but tomorrow is weigh in day and I think I'm going to be back down to the weight I was before I left. Still not at the 145-150 goal but I'm making progress. While my weight loss has been slow, I'm definitely committed to keeping it off.
2. Get back on track with healthy eating.
UPDATE: Before heading to Texas and since we have been back, I have been eating very healthy. I'm very pleased that I can have a small splurge every once in awhile.
3. Stick to 16 week fitness plan.
UPDATE: The 16 week plan has been adjusted more than a few times but I'm happy to say that my running, biking and strength training are going well. My swimming has been non-existent, but I'm committed to getting to the pool in the next 2 weeks.
4. Improve swimming.
UPDATE: See update for #2.
5. Improve strength training.
UPDATE: This is going well. The past 3-4 weeks I've increased my reps and weights and in the next week or two I need to change up the actual exercises I do.
So there you have it, not great but still doing well.
I'm registered for 2 sprint tri's in 2010, Columbia Sprint Tri in June, which is the same distance as the Iron Girl and of course the Iron Girl in August.
I was hoping to enter an Olympic distance tri next year but think that goal will need to hold off till 2011. I'm also planning on doing some mini tri's and as you all know I need to really focus on the swimming.
Texas Trip Summary
We have returned from a 10 day trip to Texas. We flew into San Antonio, TX on Fri, Nov 6th, after getting our luggage and rental car (PT Cruiser) our first stop was The County Line for some yummy BBQ. We fell in love with County Line a couple years ago and have vowed to eat there every time we are in Texas. They have the best baby back ribs and Pepper Jack Cheese Bites.
After filling our bellies, we headed South to Corpus Christi. We didn't book a hotel because the hubby thought it would be best to play it by ear and we are very glad that we did.
Corpus Christi was not the beach town we expected but we did enjoy visiting the USS Lexington - We spent several hours touring this WWII Aircraft Carrier. This was our favorite thing about Corpus Christi, we spent at least 3 hours touring around.
We also visited the Texas State Aquarium - We are clearly spoiled by the National Aquarium here in Maryland but we still had fun.
To see more photos of our trip go here -
We of course went to the golf coast but didn't get any pictures. It was very cold and windy and the beaches were full of debris (not sure if that was from Hurricane Ida). The hotels and few houses were extremely rundown.
Sunday morning we made our way to our favorite place in Texas, Fredericksburg. We did some shopping, both Rob and Vince style and Nicol and mom style (inside joke) but most of all enjoyed the quietness of this wonderful town.
Tuesday we then made our way to Austin, where we stayed till Sunday and enjoyed the sites (UT, Warehouse district, 6th Street, Town Lake, etc).
While we are very glad to be back in the comfort of our home we are also sad to have left. Here is a list of our favorites from this trip:
1. County Line
2. Chuys http://www.chuys.com/#/home - I found out this was a favorite Tex Mex place of Lance Armstrong's and Frommers gave it a great write up. We actually made 2 trips to Chuys and LOVE their food. This will be a must for every trip to Austin in the future.
3. USS Lexington
4. Fredericksburg
5. The beautiful weather - 70-80's the entire time, we could have not asked for better.
After filling our bellies, we headed South to Corpus Christi. We didn't book a hotel because the hubby thought it would be best to play it by ear and we are very glad that we did.
Corpus Christi was not the beach town we expected but we did enjoy visiting the USS Lexington - We spent several hours touring this WWII Aircraft Carrier. This was our favorite thing about Corpus Christi, we spent at least 3 hours touring around.
We also visited the Texas State Aquarium - We are clearly spoiled by the National Aquarium here in Maryland but we still had fun.
To see more photos of our trip go here -
 |
| Corpus Christi, TX |
We of course went to the golf coast but didn't get any pictures. It was very cold and windy and the beaches were full of debris (not sure if that was from Hurricane Ida). The hotels and few houses were extremely rundown.
Sunday morning we made our way to our favorite place in Texas, Fredericksburg. We did some shopping, both Rob and Vince style and Nicol and mom style (inside joke) but most of all enjoyed the quietness of this wonderful town.
Tuesday we then made our way to Austin, where we stayed till Sunday and enjoyed the sites (UT, Warehouse district, 6th Street, Town Lake, etc).
While we are very glad to be back in the comfort of our home we are also sad to have left. Here is a list of our favorites from this trip:
1. County Line
2. Chuys http://www.chuys.com/#/home - I found out this was a favorite Tex Mex place of Lance Armstrong's and Frommers gave it a great write up. We actually made 2 trips to Chuys and LOVE their food. This will be a must for every trip to Austin in the future.
3. USS Lexington
4. Fredericksburg
5. The beautiful weather - 70-80's the entire time, we could have not asked for better.
Time to get back on track
The Iron Girl is now 3 weeks in the past and it's about time I work on getting back on track. I have definitely splurged over these past 3 weeks and have gained several pounds, I'm actually afraid to get on the scale :<( So I have just completed a new training plan for the rest of the year. My main focus is strength training and swimming.
I'm definitely signing up for the 2010 Iron Girl and am considering an Olympic distance Triathlon but I will make that decision at the beginning of 2010 when I reassess my swimming.
So for the next 16 weeks my goals are:
1. Get back on track with my weight loss and actually get to my goal weight of 145-150.
2. Get back on track with healthy eating.
3. Stick to 16 week fitness plan.
4. Improve swimming.
5. Improve strength training.
As always I hope anyone reading is establishing their own goals for the remainder fo the year!
I'm definitely signing up for the 2010 Iron Girl and am considering an Olympic distance Triathlon but I will make that decision at the beginning of 2010 when I reassess my swimming.
So for the next 16 weeks my goals are:
1. Get back on track with my weight loss and actually get to my goal weight of 145-150.
2. Get back on track with healthy eating.
3. Stick to 16 week fitness plan.
4. Improve swimming.
5. Improve strength training.
As always I hope anyone reading is establishing their own goals for the remainder fo the year!
Hockey , Hockey, Hockey
Hockey is finally here!! Today hubby and I spent all day watching the Washington Capitals practice at Kettler. This was our first time watching their practice and we both realized just how much we have missed hockey. For the most part everyone looks pretty good. Sad to hear that Flash is going to be out till October, we miss him. Practice Group B was the most disappointing, looked lazy and not ready to play. Overall, practice group C looked the best. Maybe I'm a bit biased since this was the group that Mike Green was in but Laich, Clark, Steckel, Schultz, Bourque and others looked great.
We have tickets for 7 home games this year, including the Home Opener on October 3rd and the last home regular season home game in March.
Is this the year? I sure hope so, it was heart breaking watching them last year play such a horrible 7th game against the Pens, this year has to be different.
YEA!!!! HOCKEY IS HERE!!!!!!
We have tickets for 7 home games this year, including the Home Opener on October 3rd and the last home regular season home game in March.
Is this the year? I sure hope so, it was heart breaking watching them last year play such a horrible 7th game against the Pens, this year has to be different.
YEA!!!! HOCKEY IS HERE!!!!!!
2009 Iron Girl Official Results
Hot off the press, here are the official results from this weekend.
Total time - 2:32:25
Swim time - 32:12
T1 - 4:42
Bike - 1:12:49
T2 - 2:31
Run - 40:14
There were 356 athletes in my division overall I placed 259.
There was 1723 athletes overall I placed 1133.
Out of the 1723 athletes I placed 1358 on the swim, 846 on the bike and 1217 on the run.
Told you I thought I did well on the bike!! Overall I'm very pleased with these results.
Today was a rest day, but tomorrow, pending on what time my meeting gets over (currently scheduled to go till 8 p.m.) I will be working out.
I've already started working on my "off season" training. I need to put together my goals, a plan for achieving those goals and my workout schedule for the rest of the year.
My number one focus for the next 4 1/2 months is the swim. January 1, I will re-evaluate and set my new goals and plan out the 2010 race schedule.
I still have about 20 lbs to lose, so I will get back on track for that also!!
Total time - 2:32:25
Swim time - 32:12
T1 - 4:42
Bike - 1:12:49
T2 - 2:31
Run - 40:14
There were 356 athletes in my division overall I placed 259.
There was 1723 athletes overall I placed 1133.
Out of the 1723 athletes I placed 1358 on the swim, 846 on the bike and 1217 on the run.
Told you I thought I did well on the bike!! Overall I'm very pleased with these results.
Today was a rest day, but tomorrow, pending on what time my meeting gets over (currently scheduled to go till 8 p.m.) I will be working out.
I've already started working on my "off season" training. I need to put together my goals, a plan for achieving those goals and my workout schedule for the rest of the year.
My number one focus for the next 4 1/2 months is the swim. January 1, I will re-evaluate and set my new goals and plan out the 2010 race schedule.
I still have about 20 lbs to lose, so I will get back on track for that also!!
Iron Girl 2009
Today was the day I had been planning for the past 7 months. I'm officially an Iron Girl. My unofficial time was 2:32:25. As expected the swim was tough, but the bike was awesome, I probably had a smile on my face the entire time and the run was the run, hot and tired. But I did it.
This has been one of the happiest days of my life in a long time. It's been a long time since I accomplished something just for me and it was a great feeling.
I'm ready for next year, well not so much that I'm going to go workout tonight :>)
Today rocked...my hubby is the best husband in the world. He has always been supportive of me and today was no different, he rocked!
My friends, oh my goodness, I can't say enough about my wonderful friends. Several people showed up, very early on their weekend, and stood around in the heat waiting for me to swim, bike and run. I think that was the most overwhelming feeling I had today, that so many of my friends came out to cheer me on today. To me those are my true friends and I will never be able to THANK them enough for their support. I will definitely be there for their special moments.
I do not feel this is the end of my journey rather the beginning because this is definitely not the last triathlon that I will be doing!
This has been one of the happiest days of my life in a long time. It's been a long time since I accomplished something just for me and it was a great feeling.
I'm ready for next year, well not so much that I'm going to go workout tonight :>)
Today rocked...my hubby is the best husband in the world. He has always been supportive of me and today was no different, he rocked!
My friends, oh my goodness, I can't say enough about my wonderful friends. Several people showed up, very early on their weekend, and stood around in the heat waiting for me to swim, bike and run. I think that was the most overwhelming feeling I had today, that so many of my friends came out to cheer me on today. To me those are my true friends and I will never be able to THANK them enough for their support. I will definitely be there for their special moments.
I do not feel this is the end of my journey rather the beginning because this is definitely not the last triathlon that I will be doing!
4 days
Tonight was the IG Practice Ride. They ended up canceling the official practice ride, which was disappointing considering I drove all the way over there but there were several other ladies feeling the same way and we decided to do the practice ride on our own. I'm VERY happy we decided to do that. We did the entire ride and I'm still alive and walking :>) It took us 1 hr 10 minutes, which I'm pleased with considering the traffic and rain. My fastest time was 35.4 MPH (down hill of course). Did all the climbs in the saddle!!
This will be my last big workout till the actual race, I'm still nervous but having completed each leg of the race on the actual race course has been a huge help.
I also have several friends that are going to try to come watch me, which is an additional boost and hopefully good company for my wonderful hubby.
This will be my last big workout till the actual race, I'm still nervous but having completed each leg of the race on the actual race course has been a huge help.
I also have several friends that are going to try to come watch me, which is an additional boost and hopefully good company for my wonderful hubby.
1 Week from Today...
1 week from today, I WILL call myself an IRON GIRL.
Of course the nerves have started, but I'm ready to go. Yes, I would love to have another couple of weeks actually months for some additional training but I'm ready. I'm nervous but also excited and anxious.
There is a practice bike ride on Tuesday night that I plan to do and then I will have practiced all 3 legs of the race.
My swimming is improving every day and I already have a plan for my "off season" training. I hope that I can stay calm when I get in the water and freestyle as much as possible because that should improve my time.
I realize the bike is going to be tough with all the hills but my legs are up for the challenge.
I'm not going for time, I'm going for the finish.
My goals for the event:
1. Finish
2. Have fun
Anything beyond that is icing on the cake!!
Of course the nerves have started, but I'm ready to go. Yes, I would love to have another couple of weeks actually months for some additional training but I'm ready. I'm nervous but also excited and anxious.
There is a practice bike ride on Tuesday night that I plan to do and then I will have practiced all 3 legs of the race.
My swimming is improving every day and I already have a plan for my "off season" training. I hope that I can stay calm when I get in the water and freestyle as much as possible because that should improve my time.
I realize the bike is going to be tough with all the hills but my legs are up for the challenge.
I'm not going for time, I'm going for the finish.
My goals for the event:
1. Finish
2. Have fun
Anything beyond that is icing on the cake!!
Summer Sprint Tri Results
Results are in from the race this past weekend.
Total participants for event: 288
My ranking: 168
Fastest persons time: 38:55
My time: 58:24
Swim time: 11:02 (ranked 165)
T1: 1:31
Bike: 24:16 (ranked 84)
T2: 1:39
Run: 19:57 (ranked 185)
I'm very pleased my goals for this event were:
1. Finish
2. Have fun
3. Try to finish in less than an hour
So I achieved all my goals. Yippee!!!
My swim time was in line with the swim time from the IG Dress Rehearsal.
I'm really getting excited about the IG!!!!!!
Total participants for event: 288
My ranking: 168
Fastest persons time: 38:55
My time: 58:24
Swim time: 11:02 (ranked 165)
T1: 1:31
Bike: 24:16 (ranked 84)
T2: 1:39
Run: 19:57 (ranked 185)
I'm very pleased my goals for this event were:
1. Finish
2. Have fun
3. Try to finish in less than an hour
So I achieved all my goals. Yippee!!!
My swim time was in line with the swim time from the IG Dress Rehearsal.
I'm really getting excited about the IG!!!!!!
Really....39?
Yes, today I'm 39, I have mixed feelings about whether that is a good thing or bad thing but I will say that I do feel the healthiest I have ever felt. It's been almost 2 1/2 years since I quit smoking and I honestly think I'm in the best shape of my life. Now don't get crazy, I still have a long way to go but even in high school when I was playing basketball, I ate horrible and was a smoker and I'm pretty sure couldn't run as far as I could now.
When I sit back and evaluate the past 39 years of my life, I must admit that I'm in a great place!
I have a GREAT husband, more like FANTASTIC, actually words can't define him. I'm a lucky woman because he is supportive of every crazy idea I have and he is my bestfriend. He puts up with me when I'm being a PITA, which is most of the time :>)
I have a GREAT family, I would love to see them more but they fully support the life I live!
I have GREAT friends. My "circle of trust" is VERY small and I would go the ends of the earth for those few people!
Happy Birthday to all my fellow Leo's and Happy Birthday to me!!
When I sit back and evaluate the past 39 years of my life, I must admit that I'm in a great place!
I have a GREAT husband, more like FANTASTIC, actually words can't define him. I'm a lucky woman because he is supportive of every crazy idea I have and he is my bestfriend. He puts up with me when I'm being a PITA, which is most of the time :>)
I have a GREAT family, I would love to see them more but they fully support the life I live!
I have GREAT friends. My "circle of trust" is VERY small and I would go the ends of the earth for those few people!
Happy Birthday to all my fellow Leo's and Happy Birthday to me!!
Summer Sprint Tri
This morning was the Summer Sprint Tri over in Manassas, VA.
Swim - 400 yards
Bike - 8 miles
Run - 1.8 miles
As you can see it's really a mini tri, but I thought it would be a nice warm-up to the Iron Girl on Aug 23rd. I think I did pretty good, hopefully will have my actual time later this week. The swim, as always, is the toughest part for me. I side stroked the entire way, but whatever works, right? But had a decent speed and actually passed a few people. I rocked on the bike, I passed lots of people and stayed in my big gear the entire time so I could really hammer out the ride. The run was average for me.
The only thing bad about this event is all the turns. On the bike it makes it tough to get up to a good speed and stay there. On the run they actually had us run on a mulched path, which was tough because you really needed to watch where you were running so you didn't twist an ankle.
Overall, I'm pleased with my performance but also know this is nothing compared to the Iron Girl. It's actually put me back in the panic zone again, because of the distance and the hills on the bike but my goals are to finish and have fun and would prefer not to finish last but as long as I finish I can say "I'm an Iron Girl."
Also got blisters on both feet because my feet were still wet when I put my socks on so I have to remember to dry them better.
Swim - 400 yards
Bike - 8 miles
Run - 1.8 miles
As you can see it's really a mini tri, but I thought it would be a nice warm-up to the Iron Girl on Aug 23rd. I think I did pretty good, hopefully will have my actual time later this week. The swim, as always, is the toughest part for me. I side stroked the entire way, but whatever works, right? But had a decent speed and actually passed a few people. I rocked on the bike, I passed lots of people and stayed in my big gear the entire time so I could really hammer out the ride. The run was average for me.
The only thing bad about this event is all the turns. On the bike it makes it tough to get up to a good speed and stay there. On the run they actually had us run on a mulched path, which was tough because you really needed to watch where you were running so you didn't twist an ankle.
Overall, I'm pleased with my performance but also know this is nothing compared to the Iron Girl. It's actually put me back in the panic zone again, because of the distance and the hills on the bike but my goals are to finish and have fun and would prefer not to finish last but as long as I finish I can say "I'm an Iron Girl."
Also got blisters on both feet because my feet were still wet when I put my socks on so I have to remember to dry them better.
Great Ones
I'm lucky enough to know some "Great Ones." I found this list, sorry can't remember where I found it to give credit, but it definitely applies to all the "Great Ones" I know.
So to all those "Great Ones" that might read this post, don't lose track of this list.
Top 10 Beliefs of the Great Ones
1. I cannot fail, I can only learn and grow.
2. Everything happens for a reason.
3. All you can do is all you can do.
4. Every experience makes me stronger.
5. Happiness is a choice.
6. Happiness is a state of mind.
7. People are inherently good.
8. The world is a beautiful place.
9. Almost anything is possible.
10. Success is a choice.
So to all those "Great Ones" that might read this post, don't lose track of this list.
Top 10 Beliefs of the Great Ones
1. I cannot fail, I can only learn and grow.
2. Everything happens for a reason.
3. All you can do is all you can do.
4. Every experience makes me stronger.
5. Happiness is a choice.
6. Happiness is a state of mind.
7. People are inherently good.
8. The world is a beautiful place.
9. Almost anything is possible.
10. Success is a choice.
Iron Girl Dress Rehearsal
So most people on their day off sleep in, lounge around the house and relax. No not me, I get up earlier than I normally do and drive to Columbia for the Iron Girl Dress Rehearsal.
What an amazing experience, I'm actually looking forward to the race because it has to be even better.
First I was surprised at the number of ladies that turned out. Second I met and chatted with some other Iron Girl Rookies and some experienced Iron Girls were giving out FANTASTIC information. Third, I did the swim and survived, this is HUGE for me. It was tough, just as tough as I thought it would be, if not tougher. But I survived, I did the entire swim in less time than I expected and then went on to the do the run in a reasonable time. So I feel pretty good about Aug 23rd, not cocky but good.
I did the swim, and I will do it again!!
What an amazing experience, I'm actually looking forward to the race because it has to be even better.
First I was surprised at the number of ladies that turned out. Second I met and chatted with some other Iron Girl Rookies and some experienced Iron Girls were giving out FANTASTIC information. Third, I did the swim and survived, this is HUGE for me. It was tough, just as tough as I thought it would be, if not tougher. But I survived, I did the entire swim in less time than I expected and then went on to the do the run in a reasonable time. So I feel pretty good about Aug 23rd, not cocky but good.
I did the swim, and I will do it again!!
I finally caved and joined all the other crazy people out there by joining Facebook. Wow, it's been less than a week and it's already crazy. Lots of friends requests, fun comments and a new way to stock my favorite sports and people: Lance Amstrong, Jimmie Johnson, KU basketball, Alex Ovechkin, and hopefully Mike Green in the near future :>) Yes I have issues!
But the great thing is joining the Iron Girl Columbia group and finding out all kinds of information, seeing posts about people being as scared as I am about the swim, when other girls are going for training rides, etc.
Speaking of the upcoming Iron Girl. So far this has been a great week, today is a rest day for me and boy do I need it. I've been to the pool for the past 2 days and the swimming is coming along really well.
I'm going to do the Tri It Now mini tri on Aug 9th and I think that will help boost my confidence. This is the same event that I did in 2005 and I think I'm more prepared this year and I'm actually looking forward to it.
This past Sunday, July 26th, I declared to the hubby that I'm going to finish the Iron Girl and that I'm going to do fine in the swim. Over the past few days my confidence in my capabilities continues to grow.
And the even cooler thing is that several of my friends are planning on joining my hubby to cheer me on. They have no idea what that means to me. For some of them that will be the first time they see me cry, because I know that when I cross that finish line I'm going to cry and then when I see all their faces, cheering me on, I'm going to cry even harder. For all of you planning on going, be prepared, I'm going to want to hug and might not smell that great from all my hard work :>)
You all have no idea how much your support means to me, I will forever being indebted to you :>)
But the great thing is joining the Iron Girl Columbia group and finding out all kinds of information, seeing posts about people being as scared as I am about the swim, when other girls are going for training rides, etc.
Speaking of the upcoming Iron Girl. So far this has been a great week, today is a rest day for me and boy do I need it. I've been to the pool for the past 2 days and the swimming is coming along really well.
I'm going to do the Tri It Now mini tri on Aug 9th and I think that will help boost my confidence. This is the same event that I did in 2005 and I think I'm more prepared this year and I'm actually looking forward to it.
This past Sunday, July 26th, I declared to the hubby that I'm going to finish the Iron Girl and that I'm going to do fine in the swim. Over the past few days my confidence in my capabilities continues to grow.
And the even cooler thing is that several of my friends are planning on joining my hubby to cheer me on. They have no idea what that means to me. For some of them that will be the first time they see me cry, because I know that when I cross that finish line I'm going to cry and then when I see all their faces, cheering me on, I'm going to cry even harder. For all of you planning on going, be prepared, I'm going to want to hug and might not smell that great from all my hard work :>)
You all have no idea how much your support means to me, I will forever being indebted to you :>)
Let the countdown officially begin....5 weeks
This morning when I woke up, I started to freak out. I mean really freak out, dry mouth, racing thoughts, sick feeling in my stomach, thoughts that I can't do this, thoughts that I haven't practiced/training enough, lack of concentration.....
The bottom line is I have 5 weeks as of this past Sunday......5 weeks to continue to work towards the goal of competing in the 2009 Columbia Iron Girl. I'm going to do this, failure is not an option, I'm not a quitter and I don't like these feelings.
The good news is that I'm probably in the best shape I have been in since graduating from high school (many years ago). Previously when I did mini tri's or the Make A Wish Relay tri, I was still a smoker (now I'm a proud non smoker for 2 years, 4 months and 18 days) and I weighed more than I do now (I actually weigh less now than I did when I got married).
So freaking out about drowning or not being able to do the swim is not going to help me focus. I know I'm not the best swimmer and that is fine, I just need to put my mind to this and I can do it. I have 1 hour to swim .62 of a mile / 1100 yards / 44 laps in a 25 yard pool. I can do this.
Doing this event is not about being the best it's simply about trying. It's showing myself that I can tackle anything I put my mind to. It's about doing something for me, something that I want to do, not something others want me to do or tell me to do. Doing something for myself has always been a huge struggle for me and there have been very few things in my life that I have done strictly for me. But I'm working on changing that. I've started to put myself on my to do list and making sure there is always time for me. Some might say that is selfish but that is because you don't know me. My whole life has been about doing what others want or tell me to do.
The other bizarre thing is that I'm a strong willed / hard headed person that can be very direct and very driven but for some reason I lack some much optimism when it comes to this stuff....ugh.
Thank you to everyone that has been giving me words of encouragement and positive comments, it means the world to me. There are others out there just like me and I hope you too are working at taking control of your lives!
The bottom line is I have 5 weeks as of this past Sunday......5 weeks to continue to work towards the goal of competing in the 2009 Columbia Iron Girl. I'm going to do this, failure is not an option, I'm not a quitter and I don't like these feelings.
The good news is that I'm probably in the best shape I have been in since graduating from high school (many years ago). Previously when I did mini tri's or the Make A Wish Relay tri, I was still a smoker (now I'm a proud non smoker for 2 years, 4 months and 18 days) and I weighed more than I do now (I actually weigh less now than I did when I got married).
So freaking out about drowning or not being able to do the swim is not going to help me focus. I know I'm not the best swimmer and that is fine, I just need to put my mind to this and I can do it. I have 1 hour to swim .62 of a mile / 1100 yards / 44 laps in a 25 yard pool. I can do this.
Doing this event is not about being the best it's simply about trying. It's showing myself that I can tackle anything I put my mind to. It's about doing something for me, something that I want to do, not something others want me to do or tell me to do. Doing something for myself has always been a huge struggle for me and there have been very few things in my life that I have done strictly for me. But I'm working on changing that. I've started to put myself on my to do list and making sure there is always time for me. Some might say that is selfish but that is because you don't know me. My whole life has been about doing what others want or tell me to do.
The other bizarre thing is that I'm a strong willed / hard headed person that can be very direct and very driven but for some reason I lack some much optimism when it comes to this stuff....ugh.
Thank you to everyone that has been giving me words of encouragement and positive comments, it means the world to me. There are others out there just like me and I hope you too are working at taking control of your lives!
What a weekend!
Well we are finally back from visiting family in Kansas and while we were hoping to get 2 days of relaxing that didn't quite happen.
1st issue - we are in the process of trying to buy new bikes. So yesterday we were going to head to a bike store and we thought we would put the bike rack on the truck just in case we found something we liked. Well the lock that we have on the hitch was a bit rusted and we accidentally broke the key off so we couldn't get the lock off to put the bike rack on.
2nd issue - while doing laundry yesterday evening I realized the hot water valve was a bit loose, in an attempt to fix it we completely broke the valve. So a couple of hundred dollars later we have it fixed and now have running water in the house again.
The only good thing that happened this weekend is that I bought a new camera. I finally decided to break down and buy the new Canon Rebel T1i. I have been using a friends camera that I just love and now I can finally return it. I love the new camera, can't wait to go somewhere that I can take some pictures!! It came with the standard 18-55 lens so I still need to buy another lens but haven't completely decided what I want, probably a wide angle.
So today marks 6 weeks from the Columbia Iron Girl. We enjoyed lots of yummy food while in KS and I embarrassingly admit I gained a few lbs. but we got back on track with diet yesterday, unfortunately with the water chaos we didn't get to exercise this weekend but will definitely be hitting it tomorrow.
I'm going to work really hard at keeping up with the blog so I can keep everyone informed on how I'm doing.
1st issue - we are in the process of trying to buy new bikes. So yesterday we were going to head to a bike store and we thought we would put the bike rack on the truck just in case we found something we liked. Well the lock that we have on the hitch was a bit rusted and we accidentally broke the key off so we couldn't get the lock off to put the bike rack on.
2nd issue - while doing laundry yesterday evening I realized the hot water valve was a bit loose, in an attempt to fix it we completely broke the valve. So a couple of hundred dollars later we have it fixed and now have running water in the house again.
The only good thing that happened this weekend is that I bought a new camera. I finally decided to break down and buy the new Canon Rebel T1i. I have been using a friends camera that I just love and now I can finally return it. I love the new camera, can't wait to go somewhere that I can take some pictures!! It came with the standard 18-55 lens so I still need to buy another lens but haven't completely decided what I want, probably a wide angle.
So today marks 6 weeks from the Columbia Iron Girl. We enjoyed lots of yummy food while in KS and I embarrassingly admit I gained a few lbs. but we got back on track with diet yesterday, unfortunately with the water chaos we didn't get to exercise this weekend but will definitely be hitting it tomorrow.
I'm going to work really hard at keeping up with the blog so I can keep everyone informed on how I'm doing.
Week???
Wow it's been awhile since I've logged weigh ins and workouts but hopefully I will get back on track.
I've been away - I was in Florida for 4 days for work and then the hubby and I met up with my mom and Vince in Texas for a week of fun in the sun.
Overall I wasn't too bad with eating and working out. Could have been better but it could have been worse.
Today was weigh in for WW and I'm down 4.6 lbs since my last weigh in so my total lost since starting WW (3/18/09) is 13 lbs.
Tonight the Washington Caps are playing the Pittsburgh Penguins in game 3 of the playoffs. The Caps are up by 2 games and no surprise Crosby is already complaining, but that should surprise nobody. This is the first game in Pittsburgh and someone explain to me why Pittsburgh fans are having a "white out" (for those that don't get that, Pittsburgh's home jerseys are black and the Caps away jerseys are white)....guess they have all converted to Caps fans.
Go CAPS!
I'll get back on tracking with my logs later this week.
I've been away - I was in Florida for 4 days for work and then the hubby and I met up with my mom and Vince in Texas for a week of fun in the sun.
Overall I wasn't too bad with eating and working out. Could have been better but it could have been worse.
Today was weigh in for WW and I'm down 4.6 lbs since my last weigh in so my total lost since starting WW (3/18/09) is 13 lbs.
Tonight the Washington Caps are playing the Pittsburgh Penguins in game 3 of the playoffs. The Caps are up by 2 games and no surprise Crosby is already complaining, but that should surprise nobody. This is the first game in Pittsburgh and someone explain to me why Pittsburgh fans are having a "white out" (for those that don't get that, Pittsburgh's home jerseys are black and the Caps away jerseys are white)....guess they have all converted to Caps fans.
Go CAPS!
I'll get back on tracking with my logs later this week.
Week 11 Check In
Weight = 170.5
Cardio = 4
Strength training = 1
Swimming = 1
Total Weight Loss = 10 lbs
Plan for Week 12
Weight = 2 lb loss
Cardio = 5
Strength training = 3
Swimming = 0
This is a bit late but this is the update for last week's weigh in at WW mtg on the 8th. I didn't get to actually attend the meeting because of another commitment and of course I was up a lb. Ugh. I'm going to be out of town for the next 2 WW mtgs (April 15 and 22) and unable to attend on April 29th due to another commitment, so I won't make it back to a WW mtg until May 6th, unless I can squeeze something in. According to my own scale, I'm down from last weeks weigh in and I think the rest of this week I will be ok.
Cardio = 4
Strength training = 1
Swimming = 1
Total Weight Loss = 10 lbs
Plan for Week 12
Weight = 2 lb loss
Cardio = 5
Strength training = 3
Swimming = 0
This is a bit late but this is the update for last week's weigh in at WW mtg on the 8th. I didn't get to actually attend the meeting because of another commitment and of course I was up a lb. Ugh. I'm going to be out of town for the next 2 WW mtgs (April 15 and 22) and unable to attend on April 29th due to another commitment, so I won't make it back to a WW mtg until May 6th, unless I can squeeze something in. According to my own scale, I'm down from last weeks weigh in and I think the rest of this week I will be ok.
Wednesday, April 8th
Activity: Rest Day
Today was a scheduled rest day for me.
Thursday, April 9th
Activity: Running (Treadmill)
Time: 30 minutes (2 minute interval drills)
Distance: 2.75 miles
Today was a day off work for me that turned into a day of work. But I did get to the gym for a quick workout and time for a haircut and color but the rest of my day off was work, bummer :(
Friday, April 10th
Activity: Missed Workout
Ugh, today turned into a work disaster and I didn't get home till late so no workout.
Saturday, April 11th
Activity: Running (Treadmill)
Time: 45 minutes
Distance: 3.5 miles
The weather was cruddy today, rainy, miserable day. At least I got some time in on the treadmill.
Sunday, April 12th
Activity: Cycle (indoor)
Time: 45 minutes
Distance: 17.2 miles
Awesome day on the trainer, wish I could have rode outside but it was a bit too chilly.
Monday, April 13th
Activity: Running (Indoor Track)
Time: 36 minutes
Distance: 3.25 miles
Nasty charlie horse in my right calf muscle. I think this was probably brought on by trying to keep pace with my hubby, which now looking back was a bad idea, he runs much faster than me. But I did keep up with him for about 1.25 miles.
This past week of workouts has gone fairly well, except for getting to the pool. The month of April has turned into a crazy mess. I'm heading out of town tomorrow and won't be back till Saturday night and I'm not sure if there will be a pool for me to go for a swim, but I am taking my gear with me just in case.
Then next week, I'm on vacation, hopefully to see my mom from 22-28 and there is definitely no pool options where we are going.
But I'm making the best of it, I can still run, possibly cycle and get some strength training in, which is better than sitting on the couch.
Activity: Rest Day
Today was a scheduled rest day for me.
Thursday, April 9th
Activity: Running (Treadmill)
Time: 30 minutes (2 minute interval drills)
Distance: 2.75 miles
Today was a day off work for me that turned into a day of work. But I did get to the gym for a quick workout and time for a haircut and color but the rest of my day off was work, bummer :(
Friday, April 10th
Activity: Missed Workout
Ugh, today turned into a work disaster and I didn't get home till late so no workout.
Saturday, April 11th
Activity: Running (Treadmill)
Time: 45 minutes
Distance: 3.5 miles
The weather was cruddy today, rainy, miserable day. At least I got some time in on the treadmill.
Sunday, April 12th
Activity: Cycle (indoor)
Time: 45 minutes
Distance: 17.2 miles
Awesome day on the trainer, wish I could have rode outside but it was a bit too chilly.
Monday, April 13th
Activity: Running (Indoor Track)
Time: 36 minutes
Distance: 3.25 miles
Nasty charlie horse in my right calf muscle. I think this was probably brought on by trying to keep pace with my hubby, which now looking back was a bad idea, he runs much faster than me. But I did keep up with him for about 1.25 miles.
This past week of workouts has gone fairly well, except for getting to the pool. The month of April has turned into a crazy mess. I'm heading out of town tomorrow and won't be back till Saturday night and I'm not sure if there will be a pool for me to go for a swim, but I am taking my gear with me just in case.
Then next week, I'm on vacation, hopefully to see my mom from 22-28 and there is definitely no pool options where we are going.
But I'm making the best of it, I can still run, possibly cycle and get some strength training in, which is better than sitting on the couch.
Iron Girl Training
This week marks the 20 week mark till the Iron Girl Columbia Triathlon. Right now I’m thinking to myself what the heck was I thinking???? I’m starting to get scared and do you know how long 20 weeks is……140 days, 3,360 hours away. Scared, I still have 20 weeks to go and I’m already scared.
What I’m really scared of is that swim. Here is how my mind works, the worst things that can happen to you on your bike, fall or flat tires. The course doesn’t look that dangerous so the likelihood of me falling is low, except if I forget to take my foot out of my clips. Flat tire, I’m horrible at fixing flat tires but you can carry your bike in, now if I get a flat tire at mile 2 then carrying my bike for 15 miles probably isn’t going to work. But I figure if I get new tubes installed by a professional I should be good to go. So what is the worst thing that can happen to me on my run, fall or twist my ankle. I feel the same about falling while running as I do about falling on the bike, the course is not treacherous so I think I will be fine. Twist an ankle, well I constantly watch the path in front of me so I think the odds are low. Now, for the swim what is the worst thing that can happen, I can’t move, I drown, I get a cramp, I panic…..I’m totally getting myself all bent out of shape as it relates to this topic. I’ve done so many searches on the web it is pathetic. My freestyle swim sucks but my side stroke isn’t bad and I know there are plenty of people that do triathlons without doing freestyle the entire time. So I need to just get in that darn pool and put the time in and build up to the mileage needed for this event, right? RIGHT.
I’m going to do this!!!!
1st GOAL – finish the event
2nd GOAL - my preference is not to finish last
Along with recording my weight loss I’m going to start recording my training to help me keep on track and to keep me accountable.
Monday, April 6th
Activity: Cycle (indoor)
Time: 45 minutes
Distance: 12 miles
Still feeling lousy from a long weekend, filled with Capitals Hockey and a bit too bad food and drink. Not a great pace but ok.
Tuesday, April 7th
Activity: Walk/Run (treadmill)
Time: 54 minutes (includes 5 min warm up & 5 min cool down)
Distance: 4.5 miles
Came up with a splitting headache but wanted to do a short workout, which turned into a pretty good workout.
Tomorrow is WW weigh and trip to the gym for swimming and strength training.
What I’m really scared of is that swim. Here is how my mind works, the worst things that can happen to you on your bike, fall or flat tires. The course doesn’t look that dangerous so the likelihood of me falling is low, except if I forget to take my foot out of my clips. Flat tire, I’m horrible at fixing flat tires but you can carry your bike in, now if I get a flat tire at mile 2 then carrying my bike for 15 miles probably isn’t going to work. But I figure if I get new tubes installed by a professional I should be good to go. So what is the worst thing that can happen to me on my run, fall or twist my ankle. I feel the same about falling while running as I do about falling on the bike, the course is not treacherous so I think I will be fine. Twist an ankle, well I constantly watch the path in front of me so I think the odds are low. Now, for the swim what is the worst thing that can happen, I can’t move, I drown, I get a cramp, I panic…..I’m totally getting myself all bent out of shape as it relates to this topic. I’ve done so many searches on the web it is pathetic. My freestyle swim sucks but my side stroke isn’t bad and I know there are plenty of people that do triathlons without doing freestyle the entire time. So I need to just get in that darn pool and put the time in and build up to the mileage needed for this event, right? RIGHT.
I’m going to do this!!!!
1st GOAL – finish the event
2nd GOAL - my preference is not to finish last
Along with recording my weight loss I’m going to start recording my training to help me keep on track and to keep me accountable.
Monday, April 6th
Activity: Cycle (indoor)
Time: 45 minutes
Distance: 12 miles
Still feeling lousy from a long weekend, filled with Capitals Hockey and a bit too bad food and drink. Not a great pace but ok.
Tuesday, April 7th
Activity: Walk/Run (treadmill)
Time: 54 minutes (includes 5 min warm up & 5 min cool down)
Distance: 4.5 miles
Came up with a splitting headache but wanted to do a short workout, which turned into a pretty good workout.
Tomorrow is WW weigh and trip to the gym for swimming and strength training.
Week 10 Check In
Weight = 169.5
Cardio = 5
Strength training = 2
Swimming = 1
Total Weight Loss = 11 lbs
Plan for Week 11
Weight = 2 lb loss
Cardio = 5
Strength training = 3
Swimming = 3
No change in the weight but no worries. I had a good week. Work was CRAZY, but I did good with my diet and workouts. I'm getting there with the swimming, something is better than nothing.
This week I want to focus on planning because the month of April is going to be busy with some work travel and vacation with my mom and she is cooking so I definitely will need to workout ALOT. She has already shown me the menu she plans to cook, ummmmm.
Hope everyone else is having a good week!
Cardio = 5
Strength training = 2
Swimming = 1
Total Weight Loss = 11 lbs
Plan for Week 11
Weight = 2 lb loss
Cardio = 5
Strength training = 3
Swimming = 3
No change in the weight but no worries. I had a good week. Work was CRAZY, but I did good with my diet and workouts. I'm getting there with the swimming, something is better than nothing.
This week I want to focus on planning because the month of April is going to be busy with some work travel and vacation with my mom and she is cooking so I definitely will need to workout ALOT. She has already shown me the menu she plans to cook, ummmmm.
Hope everyone else is having a good week!
Week 9 Check In
Weight = 169.5
Cardio = 5
Strength training = 0
Swimming = 1
Total Weight loss = 11 lbs
Plan for Week 10
Weight = 2 lb loss
Cardio = 5
Strength Training = 3
Swimming = 3
So I'm out of the 170's again, lets hope I can stay there. This was the first week on Weight Watchers, I like the instructor and I'm glad to be back on etools, I've always been pretty successful tracking my food and exercise with it.
I made it to the pool this week, only 1 time but better than nothing. Going late in the evening is definitely going to be the way to go, I went into the pool area around 8:30 and there were a couple of people there but I was able to get a lane to myself, which is much better for me. I did about 300 yds, not consecutive and not all freestyle but it was my first time back in the pool in along time. I'm planning on going again tonight and can only hope that after each session I start to feel more and more confident in the pool.
Cardio = 5
Strength training = 0
Swimming = 1
Total Weight loss = 11 lbs
Plan for Week 10
Weight = 2 lb loss
Cardio = 5
Strength Training = 3
Swimming = 3
So I'm out of the 170's again, lets hope I can stay there. This was the first week on Weight Watchers, I like the instructor and I'm glad to be back on etools, I've always been pretty successful tracking my food and exercise with it.
I made it to the pool this week, only 1 time but better than nothing. Going late in the evening is definitely going to be the way to go, I went into the pool area around 8:30 and there were a couple of people there but I was able to get a lane to myself, which is much better for me. I did about 300 yds, not consecutive and not all freestyle but it was my first time back in the pool in along time. I'm planning on going again tonight and can only hope that after each session I start to feel more and more confident in the pool.
Delaying Week 9 Check In
I joined a new Weight Watchers At Work program last Wednesday with a couple of work friends. So I'm going to switch my Check In days to match up with same weigh in day as WW, that way I'm not spending too much time on the scale.
This past week was a busy week at work, and I wasn't able to make it to the gym as often as I had hoped, and never made it to the pool. But my hubby and I went to the gym last night and I ran 4 miles straight, averaging a 9.5 minute mile. I had previously ran 4 miles but needed to take 2 20-30 second breaks so I was ecstatic at my success last night.
This past week was a busy week at work, and I wasn't able to make it to the gym as often as I had hoped, and never made it to the pool. But my hubby and I went to the gym last night and I ran 4 miles straight, averaging a 9.5 minute mile. I had previously ran 4 miles but needed to take 2 20-30 second breaks so I was ecstatic at my success last night.
Week 8 Check In
1. Weight = 171 lbs.
2. Cardio = 2
3. Strength training = 1
4. Swimming = 0
5. Total Weight loss = 9.5 lbs
Plan for Week 9
1. Weight loss = 2 lbs
2. Cardio = 5
3. Strength training = 3
4. Swimming = 3
This is me talking to myself:
"Hello, is anyone in there???? What the heck are you doing"
Ugh, until I wrote it down I really didn't realize how bad things were. I have definitely checked out for the past 2 weeks and there is absolutely no excuse, I was being lazy.
But that is why it's not a diet, it's a life plan, you have days or weeks that go by and you just don't feel like doing what you set out to do, that is the easiest way to describe the past 2 weeks.
But this week will be better! You will see.
2. Cardio = 2
3. Strength training = 1
4. Swimming = 0
5. Total Weight loss = 9.5 lbs
Plan for Week 9
1. Weight loss = 2 lbs
2. Cardio = 5
3. Strength training = 3
4. Swimming = 3
This is me talking to myself:
"Hello, is anyone in there???? What the heck are you doing"
Ugh, until I wrote it down I really didn't realize how bad things were. I have definitely checked out for the past 2 weeks and there is absolutely no excuse, I was being lazy.
But that is why it's not a diet, it's a life plan, you have days or weeks that go by and you just don't feel like doing what you set out to do, that is the easiest way to describe the past 2 weeks.
But this week will be better! You will see.
Giraffe Mania!!
I have been collecting giraffe's for about 11 years and a few years ago I decided to turn one of our spare bedrooms into my very own giraffe room.
Those that have visited our home get to see my crazy obsession and yes it has become and obsession.
It started out when I wanted to start collecting something and I decided on giraffe's because I think they have the cutest face. From then on it has gotten a bit out of control. In the beginning I had them all over the house but then I thought it would be better to have them all together. Not a Birthday nor a Christmas has gone by in the past 11 years that I haven't received at least 1 giraffe.
I am a bit picky about my giraffe's, I'm not someone that just wants to collect every single giraffe, rather each one has to have character / personality. Each one has their own unique story. Yes I know that sounds crazy but it's true. Depending on who gave them to me or where I bought them adds to how special they all are to me.
A few years ago I had several of them in a shadow box that fell off the wall and broke many of them. My wonderful hubby tried to repair them but only a few could be saved, however I kept all the pieces of the broken ones and they remain in the room. They are the fallen few!
So here are a few pictures just to give you a glimpse!
Week 7 Check In
1. Weight = don't know I didn't feel like weighing in this week.
2. Not a bad week food wise.
3. 4 Cardio Sessions .
Plan for Week 8
1. Weight loss = 2 lbs.
2. Eat healthy and drink my water.
3. 5 cardio sessions, 2-3 strength training sessions and 3 swim sessions.
Overall this wasn't a bad week, but when I woke up this morning I came downstairs and decided to have one of favorite things, peanut butter test, about 2 slices in I realized I didn't weigh in and I knew that it was a bit too late. But, oh well, overall I feel really good so I'm not going to stress out about it.
Consider it a day off!
2. Not a bad week food wise.
3. 4 Cardio Sessions .
Plan for Week 8
1. Weight loss = 2 lbs.
2. Eat healthy and drink my water.
3. 5 cardio sessions, 2-3 strength training sessions and 3 swim sessions.
Overall this wasn't a bad week, but when I woke up this morning I came downstairs and decided to have one of favorite things, peanut butter test, about 2 slices in I realized I didn't weigh in and I knew that it was a bit too late. But, oh well, overall I feel really good so I'm not going to stress out about it.
Consider it a day off!
Week 6 Check In
1. Weight 169.5 = 1 lb weight loss this week.
2. 4 Cardio sessions.
3. Total Weight Loss to Date = 11 lbs.
Plan for Week 7
1. 2 lb Weight loss.
2. 5 Cardio Sessions, 3 Strength Training Sessions, 3 Swim Sessions.
3. Eat healthy, 100 oz water daily.
Woohoo, out of the 170's!!! I wanted to get out of the 170's by the end of February and I'm very happy to report that I achieved that goal.
However I am now 25 weeks from Iron Girl and avoiding the pool. I can't say I'm frustrated but more disappointed because I have no problem going to the gym to put in my cardio time by running or by cycling but oops I forgot my swimsuit or my trainer canceled so I'm just going to workout at home and I'll swim tomorrow, yea right. Stop making excuses!!
Good luck to everyone this week!
2. 4 Cardio sessions.
3. Total Weight Loss to Date = 11 lbs.
Plan for Week 7
1. 2 lb Weight loss.
2. 5 Cardio Sessions, 3 Strength Training Sessions, 3 Swim Sessions.
3. Eat healthy, 100 oz water daily.
Woohoo, out of the 170's!!! I wanted to get out of the 170's by the end of February and I'm very happy to report that I achieved that goal.
However I am now 25 weeks from Iron Girl and avoiding the pool. I can't say I'm frustrated but more disappointed because I have no problem going to the gym to put in my cardio time by running or by cycling but oops I forgot my swimsuit or my trainer canceled so I'm just going to workout at home and I'll swim tomorrow, yea right. Stop making excuses!!
Good luck to everyone this week!
Week 5 Check In
1. Weight 170.5 = 2 lb loss this week.
2. 4 cardio sessions, 2 strength training sessions, 1 swim session.
3. Total Weight Loss to Date = 10 lbs.
Plan for Week 6
1. 2 lb weight loss.
2. 5 cardio sessions, 3 strength training sessions, 4 swim sessions.
3. Eat healthy, 100 oz water day.
Overall a good week, I stopped drinking coffee to see if that is part of the stomach issues I have been experiencing but I'm not having as many problems as I did last week.
This was a week to up my running mileage and yesterday I ran 3.75 miles. I decided to run on the track at the Y instead of on the treadmill to switch things up. I struggled the last .54 but hung in there. I'm already dreading moving up the 4 miles. I'm still on track for 10 minute miles.
I only made it to the pool one time this week but one is better than nothing. I realize that I need to go to the pool as late as possible in the evening because their are very few people there. I feel more comfortable when I have a lane to myself. I only did about 250 yds and it wasn't all freestyle but it was time in the pool.
I've been working on a training plan that I'm considering starting in about 6 weeks, which is 20 weeks from the Iron Girl race. The plan seems to be less time than I am putting in now so I need to really determine if it will work for me.
I'm 26 weeks from the Iron Girl in August, I'm very comfortable with my running and biking but the swimming is still the area of concern. I know I need to get in the pool and put my time in so I'm hoping to turn things around this week.
I hope everyone is having the same success. Small victories will get us to the finish line!
2. 4 cardio sessions, 2 strength training sessions, 1 swim session.
3. Total Weight Loss to Date = 10 lbs.
Plan for Week 6
1. 2 lb weight loss.
2. 5 cardio sessions, 3 strength training sessions, 4 swim sessions.
3. Eat healthy, 100 oz water day.
Overall a good week, I stopped drinking coffee to see if that is part of the stomach issues I have been experiencing but I'm not having as many problems as I did last week.
This was a week to up my running mileage and yesterday I ran 3.75 miles. I decided to run on the track at the Y instead of on the treadmill to switch things up. I struggled the last .54 but hung in there. I'm already dreading moving up the 4 miles. I'm still on track for 10 minute miles.
I only made it to the pool one time this week but one is better than nothing. I realize that I need to go to the pool as late as possible in the evening because their are very few people there. I feel more comfortable when I have a lane to myself. I only did about 250 yds and it wasn't all freestyle but it was time in the pool.
I've been working on a training plan that I'm considering starting in about 6 weeks, which is 20 weeks from the Iron Girl race. The plan seems to be less time than I am putting in now so I need to really determine if it will work for me.
I'm 26 weeks from the Iron Girl in August, I'm very comfortable with my running and biking but the swimming is still the area of concern. I know I need to get in the pool and put my time in so I'm hoping to turn things around this week.
I hope everyone is having the same success. Small victories will get us to the finish line!
Week 4 Check In
1. Weight 172.5 = 0 lb loss this week.
2. Ate heatlhy the majority of the week.
3. 3 cardio sessions, 1 strength training session.
4. Total Weight Loss to date = 8 lbs.
Plan for Week 5
1. 2 lb weight loss.
2. Eat healthy.
3. 5 cardio sessions, 3 strength training sessions, 3 swimming sessions.
Another rough week, I have been battling some abdomen pain, not sure what is going on, I've decided if I'm not feeling better by the end of the long weekend then I'm going to head to the doctor to see what is going on.
Despite that and my lack of working out I didn't gain any weight so that makes me pretty happy.
No worries, I'll get back on track! Thanks to everyone for their kind words of encouragement.
2. Ate heatlhy the majority of the week.
3. 3 cardio sessions, 1 strength training session.
4. Total Weight Loss to date = 8 lbs.
Plan for Week 5
1. 2 lb weight loss.
2. Eat healthy.
3. 5 cardio sessions, 3 strength training sessions, 3 swimming sessions.
Another rough week, I have been battling some abdomen pain, not sure what is going on, I've decided if I'm not feeling better by the end of the long weekend then I'm going to head to the doctor to see what is going on.
Despite that and my lack of working out I didn't gain any weight so that makes me pretty happy.
No worries, I'll get back on track! Thanks to everyone for their kind words of encouragement.
Week 3 Check In
1. Weight 172.5 = 2 lb loss this week.
2. Ate healthy maybe 1/2 the week.
3. 5 cardio session (increased run session to 3.5 miles).
4. Total Weight Loss to date = 8 lbs
Plan for Week 4
1. 2 lb weight loss.
2. Eat healthy.
3. 5cardio sessions, 3 strength training sessions and 3 swim sessions.
This was a rough week, I didn't do very well with the eating healthy and as you can see my workouts weren't that great. But I am proud that I was able to increase my run to 3.5 miles, it was actually much easier than I thought.
Lunches at work continue to be my biggest problem. I need to remember to stick to the plan. I'm ok when I bring my lunch and I'm good about having healthy snacks in the office. But when I have lunch meetings I'm horrible about picking healthy choices. I'll work on that for this week, I know that I have at least one lunch meeting.
Hope everyone is having the same level of success that I'm having.
2. Ate healthy maybe 1/2 the week.
3. 5 cardio session (increased run session to 3.5 miles).
4. Total Weight Loss to date = 8 lbs
Plan for Week 4
1. 2 lb weight loss.
2. Eat healthy.
3. 5cardio sessions, 3 strength training sessions and 3 swim sessions.
This was a rough week, I didn't do very well with the eating healthy and as you can see my workouts weren't that great. But I am proud that I was able to increase my run to 3.5 miles, it was actually much easier than I thought.
Lunches at work continue to be my biggest problem. I need to remember to stick to the plan. I'm ok when I bring my lunch and I'm good about having healthy snacks in the office. But when I have lunch meetings I'm horrible about picking healthy choices. I'll work on that for this week, I know that I have at least one lunch meeting.
Hope everyone is having the same level of success that I'm having.
Early Valentine's Day Gifts
We had to drive up to FedEx in Hagerstown this morning because they wouldn't deliver a package without a signature. The gift was one of my Valentine's Day gifts and because neither one of us can be patient enough to wait till next week we decided to exchange gifts early.
My first gift is a giraffe candle holder, which is part of the Franz Porcelain collection. I already have the cup, saucer, spoon set and the salt and pepper shaker set. I love this collection!!
My second gift was this beautiful peridot (my birthstone) ring. Which I love even more than the giraffe's. The setting is exactly like my 10 year anniversary sapphire and diamond ring.
My first gift is a giraffe candle holder, which is part of the Franz Porcelain collection. I already have the cup, saucer, spoon set and the salt and pepper shaker set. I love this collection!!
My second gift was this beautiful peridot (my birthstone) ring. Which I love even more than the giraffe's. The setting is exactly like my 10 year anniversary sapphire and diamond ring.
The scale is not your friend
When you get on that scale and it shows you that you have lost 1, 2, 3 lbs this week, the scale becomes your BFF.....but when you get on that scale and it shows that you have gained .5, 1 or 1.5 lbs it then becomes your worst enemy. You yell, you curse, you scream at it, you pick it up and threaten to throw it down the stairs!!! But instead you put it down and tell yourself that it must be wrong and get on again.....hello, what are you thinking?????
It is just a tool that we use to see how we are doing with our weight loss. There are so many better ways that we should confirm how we are doing.
How do I feel? Did I eat healthy today, did I exercise, did I park far away from Tiara to get a few extra steps, did I take the stairs?
What about trying on those clothes I want to fit into? Can I actually get those pants on, can I zip them, can I bend over in them?
I hate the scale and I promise I won't throw it down the stairs.
It is just a tool that we use to see how we are doing with our weight loss. There are so many better ways that we should confirm how we are doing.
How do I feel? Did I eat healthy today, did I exercise, did I park far away from Tiara to get a few extra steps, did I take the stairs?
What about trying on those clothes I want to fit into? Can I actually get those pants on, can I zip them, can I bend over in them?
I hate the scale and I promise I won't throw it down the stairs.
Week 2 Check In
1. Weight 174.5 = 3 lb loss this week.
2. Ate healthy all week.
3. 6 cardio sessions, 1 strength training session and 1 swim session.
4. Total Weight Loss to date = 6 lbs
Plan for Week 3
1. 2 lb weight loss.
2. Eat healthy and consume minimum of 100 oz of water.
3. 5 cardio sessions (increase run sessions to 3.5 miles), 3 strength training sessions and 3 swim sessions.
Overall, this was a good week. Struggled with the runs, obviously didn't meet the goals for strength training and swim sessions. I really struggle with those, but I did swim at least once which was better than the week before.
This week, I need to up my run to 3.5 miles. Karin (my trainer) says that I need to pick a speed and run at that speed at least once per week, rather than moving the speed up and down, because that is more interval based. My biggest problem with running on the treadmill is that I get soooooo bored. I can't wait till the weather warms up so I can go outside and run.
I did do a 22.2 mile/hour session this week on the bike. Which was AWESOME. When I did my first team Make A Wish triathlon, I did 24 miles in 1 hr 14 min, so I could easily blow that time away.
I have several lunch meetings this week at work so I need to be very careful with what I eat.
Plan ahead and stick to that plan.
Good luck to you!
2. Ate healthy all week.
3. 6 cardio sessions, 1 strength training session and 1 swim session.
4. Total Weight Loss to date = 6 lbs
Plan for Week 3
1. 2 lb weight loss.
2. Eat healthy and consume minimum of 100 oz of water.
3. 5 cardio sessions (increase run sessions to 3.5 miles), 3 strength training sessions and 3 swim sessions.
Overall, this was a good week. Struggled with the runs, obviously didn't meet the goals for strength training and swim sessions. I really struggle with those, but I did swim at least once which was better than the week before.
This week, I need to up my run to 3.5 miles. Karin (my trainer) says that I need to pick a speed and run at that speed at least once per week, rather than moving the speed up and down, because that is more interval based. My biggest problem with running on the treadmill is that I get soooooo bored. I can't wait till the weather warms up so I can go outside and run.
I did do a 22.2 mile/hour session this week on the bike. Which was AWESOME. When I did my first team Make A Wish triathlon, I did 24 miles in 1 hr 14 min, so I could easily blow that time away.
I have several lunch meetings this week at work so I need to be very careful with what I eat.
Plan ahead and stick to that plan.
Good luck to you!
Week 1 Check In
1. Weight 177.5 = 3 lb weight loss for the week.
2. Ate healthy all week, except for lunch on Thursday.
3. 4 cardio sessions and 3 strength training sessions.
Plan for Week 2 -
1. Lose 2 lbs
2. Eat healthy every day, drink minimum of 100 oz water daily.
3. 5 cardio sessions, 3 strength training and 3 swim sessions.
This past week was a pretty good week, the only thing I was frustrated by was not getting to the pool for swimming. That is my biggest weakness when it comes to the triathlon so I need to get my butt in gear and start swimming. There is 30 weeks till the Iron Girl in August so that allows for plenty of time to build on my swim but only if I actually got to the pool. So that is my biggest push for the week.
I have several lunch meetings this week, which always steer me in the wrong direction for eating, but I'll focus on staying on track.
So we will see how things go, wish me luck!
2. Ate healthy all week, except for lunch on Thursday.
3. 4 cardio sessions and 3 strength training sessions.
Plan for Week 2 -
1. Lose 2 lbs
2. Eat healthy every day, drink minimum of 100 oz water daily.
3. 5 cardio sessions, 3 strength training and 3 swim sessions.
This past week was a pretty good week, the only thing I was frustrated by was not getting to the pool for swimming. That is my biggest weakness when it comes to the triathlon so I need to get my butt in gear and start swimming. There is 30 weeks till the Iron Girl in August so that allows for plenty of time to build on my swim but only if I actually got to the pool. So that is my biggest push for the week.
I have several lunch meetings this week, which always steer me in the wrong direction for eating, but I'll focus on staying on track.
So we will see how things go, wish me luck!
How Much Vera Bradley do I own?
On friday, I went shopping with some friends to pick up some of the latest Vera Bradley Spring Collection. Which got me wondering how much VB do I actually own. So I figured I would tally everything up and record here. I'll keep the list going to show my entire collection
Apple Green Molly
Bermuda Blue Mini Zip Wallet
Black Microfiber Wrislet
Cambridge Amy
Cambridge Tech Case
Chelsea Green Card Holder
Cupcakes Pink Maggie
Daisy Daisy All In One Wrislet
Expresso Microfiber Lil' Hipster
Hope Garden Taxi Wallet
Hope Toile Small Cosmetic
Hope Toile Zip ID Case
Houndstooth Saddle Bag
Java Blue Large Cosmetic
Java Blue Note Cards
Java Blue Messenger
Java Blue Mini Hipster
Java Blue Travel Cosmetic
Java Blue Zip Around Wallet
Katherine Amy
Magenta Microfiber Clutch Wallet
Medallion Little Toggle Tote
Medallion Coin Purse
Medallion Wrislet
Mod Floral Pink Bowler Bag
Mod Floral Pink PJ Pants
Mod Floral Pink Tote
New Hoper Vera
Petal Pink Lola
Petal Pink Miller Bag
Pink Elephants Large Bow Cosmetic
Pink Elephants Large Tic Tac Tote
Pink Elephant Zip Sunglass Case
Pinwheel Pink Maggie
Pinwheel Pink PJ Pants
Pinwheel Pink Sherry
Purple Punch Hannah
Purple Punch Weekend
Raspberry Bowler Bag
Raspberry Fizz Ditty Bag
Raspberry Fizz PJ Pants
Sherbert Coin Purse
Tweed Tab Satchel
Windsor Navy Bitty Betsy
Apple Green Molly
Bermuda Blue Mini Zip Wallet
Black Microfiber Wrislet
Cambridge Amy
Cambridge Tech Case
Chelsea Green Card Holder
Cupcakes Pink Maggie
Daisy Daisy All In One Wrislet
Expresso Microfiber Lil' Hipster
Hope Garden Taxi Wallet
Hope Toile Small Cosmetic
Hope Toile Zip ID Case
Houndstooth Saddle Bag
Java Blue Large Cosmetic
Java Blue Note Cards
Java Blue Messenger
Java Blue Mini Hipster
Java Blue Travel Cosmetic
Java Blue Zip Around Wallet
Katherine Amy
Magenta Microfiber Clutch Wallet
Medallion Little Toggle Tote
Medallion Coin Purse
Medallion Wrislet
Mod Floral Pink Bowler Bag
Mod Floral Pink PJ Pants
Mod Floral Pink Tote
New Hoper Vera
Petal Pink Lola
Petal Pink Miller Bag
Pink Elephants Large Bow Cosmetic
Pink Elephants Large Tic Tac Tote
Pink Elephant Zip Sunglass Case
Pinwheel Pink Maggie
Pinwheel Pink PJ Pants
Pinwheel Pink Sherry
Purple Punch Hannah
Purple Punch Weekend
Raspberry Bowler Bag
Raspberry Fizz Ditty Bag
Raspberry Fizz PJ Pants
Sherbert Coin Purse
Tweed Tab Satchel
Windsor Navy Bitty Betsy
Starting Over
It is my opinion that whether we are trying to lose or gain weight, we all at some point have some sort of battle with weight.
Most of my life I didn't struggle with weight issues. As a kid/teenager I was very active, was able to eat whatever I wanted with no problems. However, as I started to get older, weight became an issue, one that I didn't realize for some time.
So here I am again, struggling with trying to lose weight. I typically keep hand written journals but why not put in on the web? Others have, does it make you more successful because you are making your struggles more public? Maybe / Maybe not.
For me, I need to hold myself accountable and what better way to hold yourself accountable then to document it and hopefully let others know that we all struggle. So I invite you to read, follow my struggles and share when you want.
My plan:
1. Goal weight is 145-150
2. Get back to eating healthy
3. Workout at least 5 days a week (I've signed up for the Iron Girl Triathlon in Columbia, MD in August2009).
My current weight 180.5
My max weight 235 (this was several years ago, but this was the highest I actually weighed in).
I can't guarantee that I will provide updates daily but I will provide weekly updates.
Most of my life I didn't struggle with weight issues. As a kid/teenager I was very active, was able to eat whatever I wanted with no problems. However, as I started to get older, weight became an issue, one that I didn't realize for some time.
So here I am again, struggling with trying to lose weight. I typically keep hand written journals but why not put in on the web? Others have, does it make you more successful because you are making your struggles more public? Maybe / Maybe not.
For me, I need to hold myself accountable and what better way to hold yourself accountable then to document it and hopefully let others know that we all struggle. So I invite you to read, follow my struggles and share when you want.
My plan:
1. Goal weight is 145-150
2. Get back to eating healthy
3. Workout at least 5 days a week (I've signed up for the Iron Girl Triathlon in Columbia, MD in August2009).
My current weight 180.5
My max weight 235 (this was several years ago, but this was the highest I actually weighed in).
I can't guarantee that I will provide updates daily but I will provide weekly updates.
Favorite Things
Kansas University Basketball
Washington Capitals Hockey
Mike Green - Washington Capitals Defenseman
Vera Bradley
Beaches
Family
Color Pink
Rock Band
Jimmie Johnson
Giraffe's
Washington Capitals Hockey
Mike Green - Washington Capitals Defenseman
Vera Bradley
Beaches
Family
Color Pink
Rock Band
Jimmie Johnson
Giraffe's
New blogger
So after being a blog reader for awhile I've decided to start my own blog.
Why Pinky Giraffe - these are two of my favorite things, the color pink and giraffe's. I think I will start a list of my Favorite Things.
Talking to myself - I do this frequently so where better to record those conversations!
Why Pinky Giraffe - these are two of my favorite things, the color pink and giraffe's. I think I will start a list of my Favorite Things.
Talking to myself - I do this frequently so where better to record those conversations!
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