It has been a couple of weeks since I have updated my blog and I apologize to all 2 of the readers out there. Rest assured, I have been training.
After I fell of my training program a couple of weeks ago I was determined to get things back on track as soon as possible. I will have to admit it was difficult to get back in the gym, just knowing the amount of pain that would follow! And I was right. Another big ouch for last week.
This week was MUCH better. It was another "recovery week" (light training) and it allowed me to continue training without as much pain. This week I ran 8 miles, swam 2 miles, and biked 11 miles. I like the fact that I can say I did it without too much difficulty. Last night was a brick workout, a workout where you workout 2 different disciplines one after another. So, in the bitter cold, I ran to the pool (20 minutes) and swam a mile (1 hour). It was a "nice" workout but I don't like training in the cold. Brrr!
The next big news is that my fundraising is going extremely well. Thus far, I have received 80% of my goal. Thanks for everyone's VERY generous support. I still have to raise another $800 to reach my $4200 goal but I am hoping for another good fundraising weekend and I will tell everyone what it was and how it went next week.
That's it for now.
Friday, February 29, 2008
Friday, February 15, 2008
A week off?
Well, it finally happened....after going months without missing a training day (not one!) then I missed my first one, then another, and another. When it was all said and done I missed an entire week of training!
Sure, I had lots of excuses, it got really busy at work and had to work late regularly this week, I am in the midst of 2 construction projects - a kitchen remodel for me and finish a wet bar for a friend, frigid weather & ice storms, car accident, and totally stressed out because Angela (wife) was having her 6 month post-chemo CT scan this week. (see her results at http://amvictory.blogspot.com) In reality those items should be background noise (except the CT scan) and normalcy of daily life. But for some reason I let these excuses prohibit me from training. To compound matters, I would expect to feel rested after a week off from training. However that is not the case, rather I fell even more tired, exhausted and afraid. Afraid of getting back in the gym and see how much ground I have lost in my training.
"Will someone else's life be brighter tomorrow because of what you have done today?" - William Arthur Ward
With that I say farewell. Farewell to excuses that prevent me from training and hello to a clearer vision of what I need to accomplish. Today is a new day and I will make it special!
Sure, I had lots of excuses, it got really busy at work and had to work late regularly this week, I am in the midst of 2 construction projects - a kitchen remodel for me and finish a wet bar for a friend, frigid weather & ice storms, car accident, and totally stressed out because Angela (wife) was having her 6 month post-chemo CT scan this week. (see her results at http://amvictory.blogspot.com) In reality those items should be background noise (except the CT scan) and normalcy of daily life. But for some reason I let these excuses prohibit me from training. To compound matters, I would expect to feel rested after a week off from training. However that is not the case, rather I fell even more tired, exhausted and afraid. Afraid of getting back in the gym and see how much ground I have lost in my training.
"Will someone else's life be brighter tomorrow because of what you have done today?" - William Arthur Ward
With that I say farewell. Farewell to excuses that prevent me from training and hello to a clearer vision of what I need to accomplish. Today is a new day and I will make it special!
Friday, February 1, 2008
Inspiration equals Motivation
By now everyone that knows me, knows I am racing in a triathlon...it is consuming. If I am not talking about it, then I am training, if I am not training I am trying to raise money, if not fundraising then I am preparing for it (nutrition, bike maintenance, researching techniques). Needless to say the triathlon has been consuming a lot of my time. But I love it. I like learning new things, pushing myself both physically and emotionally (do you know how boring it is run on a treadmill for an hour, then immediately get an on stationary bike??) and of course knowing it is for a GREAT cause.
With all that being said, I try to limit myself for talking about it too much. I don’t want to bore people with the same old discussion topic. Oddly enough, there has been one side effect of my training that I didn't expect. I was talking with Angela (wife) the other day about several different friends (that don't know each other) and how all of a sudden they are becoming more active. Several friends have started doing various activities ranging from dusting off their old bikes, to walking the dog longer, going to the gym, a boating friend wants to take up wakeboarding (because I started 2 years ago) and one friend even signed up for a triathlon (you go Sandy!). Yeah, I know it is that time of year where people try to "start the new year off right", work towards fulfilling their New Year's resolution, etc, etc. But, I can't help but fell particularly responsible for this movement.....and DAM it feels good! To know I have a positive impact on my friends, family, and colleagues at work motivates me even more to keep pushing!
Last Saturday Angela and I attended the Team in Training annual group picnic. It was the first indoor picnic I have ever attended, but yeah what the yeck right? I forgot what time it started so we were late. But we got to hear participant’s stories about why they are training, who they were training for, and how it impacted both their lives. It was AMAZING! Afterwards, we hung out and talked to several coaches, participants, and survivors. At the picnic I finally meet someone (she is actually a TNT coach, although not mine) who lives near us. Most participants live in northern Virginia. Anyway, she invited me to swim with her and one other person on Sunday where she offers coaching and instruction. EXACTLY WHAT I HAVE BEEN LOOKING FOR! Sundays are an "optional" swim for us but I always try to swim anyway because I feel I really need to work on my swim.
Training stuff: This week is a "recovery week" i.e., light workout
With all that being said, I try to limit myself for talking about it too much. I don’t want to bore people with the same old discussion topic. Oddly enough, there has been one side effect of my training that I didn't expect. I was talking with Angela (wife) the other day about several different friends (that don't know each other) and how all of a sudden they are becoming more active. Several friends have started doing various activities ranging from dusting off their old bikes, to walking the dog longer, going to the gym, a boating friend wants to take up wakeboarding (because I started 2 years ago) and one friend even signed up for a triathlon (you go Sandy!). Yeah, I know it is that time of year where people try to "start the new year off right", work towards fulfilling their New Year's resolution, etc, etc. But, I can't help but fell particularly responsible for this movement.....and DAM it feels good! To know I have a positive impact on my friends, family, and colleagues at work motivates me even more to keep pushing!
Last Saturday Angela and I attended the Team in Training annual group picnic. It was the first indoor picnic I have ever attended, but yeah what the yeck right? I forgot what time it started so we were late. But we got to hear participant’s stories about why they are training, who they were training for, and how it impacted both their lives. It was AMAZING! Afterwards, we hung out and talked to several coaches, participants, and survivors. At the picnic I finally meet someone (she is actually a TNT coach, although not mine) who lives near us. Most participants live in northern Virginia. Anyway, she invited me to swim with her and one other person on Sunday where she offers coaching and instruction. EXACTLY WHAT I HAVE BEEN LOOKING FOR! Sundays are an "optional" swim for us but I always try to swim anyway because I feel I really need to work on my swim.
Training stuff: This week is a "recovery week" i.e., light workout
- Saturday - Bailed on the group bike ride. It was 34 degrees outside and there was still a lot of ice on the trails. No thanks, I will ride the stationary bike.
- Sunday - instructional swimming 90 minutes
- Monday - Weights and 30 minute run
- Tuesday - Weights, 30 minute run, and a 60 minute swim
- Wednesday - Weights and 30 minute bike
- Thursday - VERY SORE! 70 minute swim only
- Friday - DAY OFF
Thanks for reading.
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