Thank God Its Friday!
I am found when one trains this hard a person really looks forward to the small victory's. The most regular small victory I celebrate is Friday. While, most celebrate Friday because it represents 2 days off from work, school, or whatever becomes their weekly grind. Personally, I find Friday a reason to celebrate for a totally different, but equally appreciable reason.....it is my ONE day of rest from training. ahhhhh.
Don't get me wrong, I love training, working out, and feeling good about myself. But it is tiring; actually it is exhausting to be more accurate. No one can attest to this more than Angela. Poor thing. I have never been what some refer to as a morning person (unless you count the days when I used to stay up all night and go to bed in morning). However, lately I can't help but notice it has been more difficult for Angela to get me out of bed in morning. I am just so exhausted every morning.
I was discussing my triathlon with a work college and he mentioned that I should set some goals for my race. Originally, I had A goal - to finish. Now that I am 2 months into my training he convinced me to redefine my goals. Over the weekend I will ponder this topic and post my new goals next week.
My fundraising campaign is going extremely well. The support from family and friends has been inspiring. THANKS EVERYONE!! As of this morning, I have completed 26% of my goal. As with every other type A personality I want to keep the momentum going and achieve my goal as soon as possible so I can focus on my training. What, doesn't everybody think like that?
Training since last post-
Monday - weight training at lunch and bike 60 minutes in the evening
Tuesday - Swim training 60 minutes
Wednesday - weight training at lunch and bike 35 minutes in the evening
Thursday - Ran 50 minutes, ie 5 miles. I pushed too hard - know my ankle hurts.
Thursday evening - FIRST MISSED WORKOUT. UGH! I had to fix a plumbing problem.
Friday - OFF (YAY)
FIRST MISSED WORKOUT.
Friday, January 25, 2008
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Ante up!
The past weekend was a multifaceted poker event. What does that mean? On Friday, I hosted some friends at my house for a fundraising poker night. Donations would be collected before each round of play and go towards my Team in Training fundraising goal of $4200. On Friday, because of very generous donations I raised over $400! $50 was donated from a friend’s mom and the rest was donated via Poker. Then on Saturday, my mom hosted a similar event at the American Legion in Austin, TX. She was able to generate more than $200. Half of that is donated back to the American Legion (another great organization) and the other half is donated to my Team in Training goal. So, $500 raised in one weekend! How awesome is that?! Thanks to everyone for their help and support.
Also, last week I was supposed to meet with a friend of mine so she can help me with my swim stroke. However, we had to cancel because of a snow storm. So we rescheduled for tonight. Of course, it is supposed to snow again today. I am beginning to wonder if there is a connection. It has not started snowing yet, so I will just keep my fingers crossed.
Otherwise, back to training.
Also, last week I was supposed to meet with a friend of mine so she can help me with my swim stroke. However, we had to cancel because of a snow storm. So we rescheduled for tonight. Of course, it is supposed to snow again today. I am beginning to wonder if there is a connection. It has not started snowing yet, so I will just keep my fingers crossed.
Otherwise, back to training.
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Poker Anyone?
This Friday I am hosting a poker/visitation fundraiser night.
Everyone probably has heard of a Poker night. A typical poker game, except prior to each hand played, each player will make a .25 donation. I played a game with this format in Texas over the holiday and had a blast. Everyone should have fun and raise some money for a great cause. Obviously, the donations will be going towards my Team in Training fundraising requirements.
The visitation was just an excuse to allow people to come to the house and distract Angela from all the money I will be losing. It sounded like a good idea at the time.
On a totally different subject, my favorite TV show is on tonight....The Biggest Loser. I just love that show!
Ok, here is the business (training)
Saturday - 20 mile group bike ride. First of the season at it was awesome.
Sunday - A quick swim workout
Monday - 35 minute run; 1 hour volleyball in the evening
Tuesday - Strength/Core workout and swimming in the evening.
Talk to everyone soon.
Everyone probably has heard of a Poker night. A typical poker game, except prior to each hand played, each player will make a .25 donation. I played a game with this format in Texas over the holiday and had a blast. Everyone should have fun and raise some money for a great cause. Obviously, the donations will be going towards my Team in Training fundraising requirements.
The visitation was just an excuse to allow people to come to the house and distract Angela from all the money I will be losing. It sounded like a good idea at the time.
On a totally different subject, my favorite TV show is on tonight....The Biggest Loser. I just love that show!
Ok, here is the business (training)
Saturday - 20 mile group bike ride. First of the season at it was awesome.
Sunday - A quick swim workout
Monday - 35 minute run; 1 hour volleyball in the evening
Tuesday - Strength/Core workout and swimming in the evening.
Talk to everyone soon.
Friday, January 11, 2008
As all my "peeps" know all my training is for a cause; to raise monies for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
The power is often under estimated on the magnitude a group of people with a common goal can be. This was illustrated to me via an email today. The email stated the Washington DC Area Team in Training program raised over $157,000 for their spring training races. Even more amazing is the spring races only consist of 5 races and most of those races are just starting their fundraising program. As an example, I am just kicking off my fundraising campaign.
Through a list of family and friends my movement is going to consist of a multi-faceted, multi-state, approach. I have several ideas that are taking place and hope to raise thousands of dollars for the Leukemia & Lymphoma society. If you have any ideas on fundraising ideas or would like to help me in my endeavor – let me know. I more money we raise – the quicker we can find a cure.
The power is often under estimated on the magnitude a group of people with a common goal can be. This was illustrated to me via an email today. The email stated the Washington DC Area Team in Training program raised over $157,000 for their spring training races. Even more amazing is the spring races only consist of 5 races and most of those races are just starting their fundraising program. As an example, I am just kicking off my fundraising campaign.
Through a list of family and friends my movement is going to consist of a multi-faceted, multi-state, approach. I have several ideas that are taking place and hope to raise thousands of dollars for the Leukemia & Lymphoma society. If you have any ideas on fundraising ideas or would like to help me in my endeavor – let me know. I more money we raise – the quicker we can find a cure.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Oh, the pain!
I am pleased to announce that I made it through another week of training.
My training plan focuses on time rather than miles but according to my math I have swam, bike, and ran a total of 36 heart pumping miles since last week! And boy do I feel it. And, my training schedule has me running, biking, and swimming 36 more miles before Sunday.
Tuesdays are my swim coached swim practice with my Team in Training group. It is never a good sign when the coach starts out the practice session stating "If you haven't been swimming over the holiday break or this is your first practice, then this is going to hurt!" About then is when it hit me, oh boy what did I get myself into? We swam just over 1 mile in the pool; performing various swimming drills and speeds. By time I road home (the pool is in DC) I was so sore. I could only think it is usually WORSE the following day!
Angela prompted rubbed Tiger Bomb (like Ben Gay – but way hotter) on my shoulders and back. The she got a massager thingy for xmas so I thought no better time then the present, right? Massage = ahhhhhhhhh. Then I slept with the heating pad on my back. Amazingly, that combo worked. I woke up the next morning (groggy as usually) but there was NO PAIN. YAY!!
Wednesday – after felling better from my massage therapy (Thanks Angela!) I was feeling good and was able to complete my nearly 1 hour bike ride without too much difficulty. Riding the bike for so long creates soreness, not so much from any muscle but rather from the back-side if you know what I mean? If not, dust off that old mountain bike, remove the seat, replace it with Tupperware bowl, wrap a ripped piece of cloth around it, then ride the bike for an hour. Let me know where your soreness is.
Today, I am supposed to do my “brick” workout. A brick in triathlon terms is where you perform 2 disciplines back-to-back in the same workout. Say what? These people are truly crazy! The 2 disciplines today are swim/run. However, since I don’t belong to a gym (that has a pool and exercise equipment) so I am going to have split the workouts between afternoon and evening. I know it is not the same as a brick workout but it will have to do.
Mo MONEY! – As everyone knows I have to raise $4200 for this raise. I have finalized a donation letter that I will be sending out to family and friends. I will also be hosting several poker/game nights to raise money. Additionally, I have been brainstorming with several friends with different ways to raise money and I think we have some pretty cool stuff in the works. Stay tuned for more details.
My training plan focuses on time rather than miles but according to my math I have swam, bike, and ran a total of 36 heart pumping miles since last week! And boy do I feel it. And, my training schedule has me running, biking, and swimming 36 more miles before Sunday.
Tuesdays are my swim coached swim practice with my Team in Training group. It is never a good sign when the coach starts out the practice session stating "If you haven't been swimming over the holiday break or this is your first practice, then this is going to hurt!" About then is when it hit me, oh boy what did I get myself into? We swam just over 1 mile in the pool; performing various swimming drills and speeds. By time I road home (the pool is in DC) I was so sore. I could only think it is usually WORSE the following day!
Angela prompted rubbed Tiger Bomb (like Ben Gay – but way hotter) on my shoulders and back. The she got a massager thingy for xmas so I thought no better time then the present, right? Massage = ahhhhhhhhh. Then I slept with the heating pad on my back. Amazingly, that combo worked. I woke up the next morning (groggy as usually) but there was NO PAIN. YAY!!
Wednesday – after felling better from my massage therapy (Thanks Angela!) I was feeling good and was able to complete my nearly 1 hour bike ride without too much difficulty. Riding the bike for so long creates soreness, not so much from any muscle but rather from the back-side if you know what I mean? If not, dust off that old mountain bike, remove the seat, replace it with Tupperware bowl, wrap a ripped piece of cloth around it, then ride the bike for an hour. Let me know where your soreness is.
Today, I am supposed to do my “brick” workout. A brick in triathlon terms is where you perform 2 disciplines back-to-back in the same workout. Say what? These people are truly crazy! The 2 disciplines today are swim/run. However, since I don’t belong to a gym (that has a pool and exercise equipment) so I am going to have split the workouts between afternoon and evening. I know it is not the same as a brick workout but it will have to do.
Mo MONEY! – As everyone knows I have to raise $4200 for this raise. I have finalized a donation letter that I will be sending out to family and friends. I will also be hosting several poker/game nights to raise money. Additionally, I have been brainstorming with several friends with different ways to raise money and I think we have some pretty cool stuff in the works. Stay tuned for more details.
Thursday, January 3, 2008
Training Update
I realized that I haven't included any of my workouts in my posts. I will attempt to include them in future posts.
A rest/recovery week is recommended after every 4-5 weeks of training, which means my workouts are a little shorter and easier to give my body a break. YEAH RIGHT! This week is my scheduled "rest" week and a nice way to bring in the New Year. Here are my workouts for this week;
Monday: Run 35 mins
Tuesday: New Years (rest)
Wednesday: Run 35 mins @ lunch, bike 30 mins @ home
Thursday: bike 45 (easy pace)
Other good news, I have contacted a friend that has been competing in Triathlons for years and she has agreed to help me with my training! Her knowledge will undoubtedly help me on race day.
A rest/recovery week is recommended after every 4-5 weeks of training, which means my workouts are a little shorter and easier to give my body a break. YEAH RIGHT! This week is my scheduled "rest" week and a nice way to bring in the New Year. Here are my workouts for this week;
Monday: Run 35 mins
Tuesday: New Years (rest)
Wednesday: Run 35 mins @ lunch, bike 30 mins @ home
Thursday: bike 45 (easy pace)
Other good news, I have contacted a friend that has been competing in Triathlons for years and she has agreed to help me with my training! Her knowledge will undoubtedly help me on race day.
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
2007 Farewell
As I was considering what to write about in this post I was originally thinking there was little to be thankful for in 2007. After all, 2007 was a year of loss! I was still sorting out my feelings regarding losing my Grandmother (Cancer) in late 2006, Angela was diagnosed with Lymphoma in April, and several other close friends were diagnosed with cancer as well. Not a good year by most accounts.
But as I reflect, I realize (in my most sentimental moments) that I thankful for the most precious and intangible of things; spending time with my family, friends, and loved ones. Aside from Angela kicking Priscilla’s (she named her tumor Priscilla) butt spending time with everyone that is SO close to us was I will remember most about 2007.
HAPPY NEW YEAR! May 2008 bring joy, happiness, and good health to all!
But as I reflect, I realize (in my most sentimental moments) that I thankful for the most precious and intangible of things; spending time with my family, friends, and loved ones. Aside from Angela kicking Priscilla’s (she named her tumor Priscilla) butt spending time with everyone that is SO close to us was I will remember most about 2007.
HAPPY NEW YEAR! May 2008 bring joy, happiness, and good health to all!
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