So again I have been MIA which can mean one of a few things - traveling for work (check), training (check), long hours at work (check) - therefore the blog gets no love. Finally after a week in Puerto Vallarta and two weeks working on a photoshoot, I am back in the office. At least until Monday. Dont think that because I am not writing I am slacking on the training front - quite the opposite. It has been going really well and after 2 and a half years with no triathlons, I have my first one coming up at the end of september. It will be in Houston. It will be hot. It will hurt. And I cant wait. I went from having 0 tris on the schedule to having 5, and for the first time I feel like I am swimming/biking/running with a purpose. And it feels great.
This next little trip includes a week in Panama for work, a weekend in Chicago to race, a week in New Jersey for work and a weekend in NYC to see my little bro. I am going in at a good time because he is planning a Vandy reunion of sorts that Friday, and I may get to see some peeps I havent seen in longer than I care to remember. It will also be nice to watch college football with people who actually understand what college football is.
Aug 31, 2010
Aug 16, 2010
An exciting week
I left last week to go to Phoenix for a conference for work. There were about 20 of us at the conference all there to learn more about a new campaign we are launching. We spent two days here - the Athletes Performance in Phoenix.
We spent one day learning about nutrition, workouts and stretches that our guests can do while traveling, and a whole lot of other goodness. Day 2 was spent actually working out - YES! And all the while we got our meals, snacks and post workout recovery drinks cooked or blended and served to us. The crew trains and rehabs professional and elite athletes and while we were there, we saw quite a few of them walk in and out. Seriously this was my kind of work trip and if I were rich I would fork over the 5K to spend a week there.
Then it was on to Houston where we stepped of the plane and into a sauna. I was there for a baby shower for one of my best friends, but I ended up with a pleasant surprise. I got one of these!
Yes, my mom spoiled me and is giving me a new bike for my birthday and Christmas. I have an old bike in Mexico that I have been training on, so this bike will remain in Houston where I will travel monthly to train and race. And yes, all the guys at the tri store made fun of me when I told them it would be my Houston bike, but I really am in need of a new one, and it just makes sense to leave it there. It will also be the bike I use for the Ironman and the few races before then. I had a 12 mile run on the schedule for Saturday that I sweated through nicely (I still think the heat and humidity beats the altitude), and I could hardly wait to take the new toy out for my first actual off trainer ride in over a year and a half. I had a 3 hour tour scheduled and I loved almost every minute of it. In the last 15 minutes the gear wire snapped so I had to cut the actual riding short and the lovely creature is sitting at the tri store waiting to get fixed. I am heading back home the end of september to take it out for a race. Next on the agenda is trying to find a name.
We spent one day learning about nutrition, workouts and stretches that our guests can do while traveling, and a whole lot of other goodness. Day 2 was spent actually working out - YES! And all the while we got our meals, snacks and post workout recovery drinks cooked or blended and served to us. The crew trains and rehabs professional and elite athletes and while we were there, we saw quite a few of them walk in and out. Seriously this was my kind of work trip and if I were rich I would fork over the 5K to spend a week there.
Then it was on to Houston where we stepped of the plane and into a sauna. I was there for a baby shower for one of my best friends, but I ended up with a pleasant surprise. I got one of these!
Yes, my mom spoiled me and is giving me a new bike for my birthday and Christmas. I have an old bike in Mexico that I have been training on, so this bike will remain in Houston where I will travel monthly to train and race. And yes, all the guys at the tri store made fun of me when I told them it would be my Houston bike, but I really am in need of a new one, and it just makes sense to leave it there. It will also be the bike I use for the Ironman and the few races before then. I had a 12 mile run on the schedule for Saturday that I sweated through nicely (I still think the heat and humidity beats the altitude), and I could hardly wait to take the new toy out for my first actual off trainer ride in over a year and a half. I had a 3 hour tour scheduled and I loved almost every minute of it. In the last 15 minutes the gear wire snapped so I had to cut the actual riding short and the lovely creature is sitting at the tri store waiting to get fixed. I am heading back home the end of september to take it out for a race. Next on the agenda is trying to find a name.
Aug 4, 2010
Starting to feel better
After feeling like crap saturday, sunday and monday and a little better yesterday, I think I am finally starting to get well. I can tell because all the junk is breaking up in my head and chest. Good news for me. Bad news for the people in the pool today who were nearby when the snot came a pourin'. I also think I gave whatever I have to Chris. And I have said before when I am sick, the little dog gets sick too. Well all day sunday he was puking, and then at about 5AM this morning I rolled over to get up and my feet rolled right into his puke in the bed. Lovely start to a day. But it did keep me from hitting the snooze button until the last minute.
Coach suggested I get in a few half ironmans before the ironman and suggested this one. So I signed up. Im not too excited about the swim since before the oil spill Galveston's water was pitch black, but the bike and run should be fairly flat and it will be good practice in humid air for the race in May. Still looking for another one or two to race. If anyone has any suggestions, let me know!
Coach suggested I get in a few half ironmans before the ironman and suggested this one. So I signed up. Im not too excited about the swim since before the oil spill Galveston's water was pitch black, but the bike and run should be fairly flat and it will be good practice in humid air for the race in May. Still looking for another one or two to race. If anyone has any suggestions, let me know!
Aug 3, 2010
Her name is Rio
Pão de Açúcar (Sugarloaf) taken from the top of Corcovado
Beach outside our hotel - where I got in 3 swim sessions YAY!
Me at the top of Corcovado - not sure what I am looking at.
Corcovado - seriously way way impressive in real life. I got dizzy looking at the top of it.
And finally some real Brazilian acai bowls to finish off the day.
Now one of my favorite cities. I just got back Saturday from a week of long work hours and early/late training sessions, but I am in love with this city. So much so that I am in the process of learning Portuguese. If you haven't been, I strongly suggest you make a plan to go.
Some highlights:
1) I had my first real coconut water poured right from the coconut. I have always been scared to try it because I loathe coconut, but YUM! Not a taste of coconut in sight.
2) I got my first acai bowl - not the kind from Diamond head Cove or Jamba Juice, but the real deal. Very delish.
3) Ocean swims - 3 to be exact. loved every minute
4) Seeing Ipanema, Copacabana and Lablon on my runs
5) Samba school - the school we went to has won Carnaval a few times. I may have to go back and see them in action.
Training there was nice, it was winter, so the runs were very nice out but the swims were FREEZING. I think it was the coldest I have ever been in water. I didnt think to bring any kind of wetsuit so I had to brave it with just my splish. But I did get in some ocean open water swims for the first time in forever, and really enjoyed it. I also got to swim out by the surfers and pretend I was back in Hawaii surfing again. I did not want to come home because everywhere I went reminded me of being back in Hawaii and walking out my front door to swim/bike/run. Only bad news is that I caught a nasty cold/flu on the plane back (bound to happen after 16 hours of travel) and am just now starting to feel better. Next week I am headed over to Phoenix for work (not sure who the brains are behind planning a meeting in Phoenix in August) where I will get some quality sauna training in. Then it is over to Houston where I will train in a steam room. All this travel has made it really hard to keep up a schedule, but my wonderful coach has been very patient and made sure that I am getting in all the training required, even if it includes 11PM treadmill sessions or 4Am biking :). Happy training everyone!
Beach outside our hotel - where I got in 3 swim sessions YAY!
Me at the top of Corcovado - not sure what I am looking at.
Corcovado - seriously way way impressive in real life. I got dizzy looking at the top of it.
And finally some real Brazilian acai bowls to finish off the day.
Now one of my favorite cities. I just got back Saturday from a week of long work hours and early/late training sessions, but I am in love with this city. So much so that I am in the process of learning Portuguese. If you haven't been, I strongly suggest you make a plan to go.
Some highlights:
1) I had my first real coconut water poured right from the coconut. I have always been scared to try it because I loathe coconut, but YUM! Not a taste of coconut in sight.
2) I got my first acai bowl - not the kind from Diamond head Cove or Jamba Juice, but the real deal. Very delish.
3) Ocean swims - 3 to be exact. loved every minute
4) Seeing Ipanema, Copacabana and Lablon on my runs
5) Samba school - the school we went to has won Carnaval a few times. I may have to go back and see them in action.
Training there was nice, it was winter, so the runs were very nice out but the swims were FREEZING. I think it was the coldest I have ever been in water. I didnt think to bring any kind of wetsuit so I had to brave it with just my splish. But I did get in some ocean open water swims for the first time in forever, and really enjoyed it. I also got to swim out by the surfers and pretend I was back in Hawaii surfing again. I did not want to come home because everywhere I went reminded me of being back in Hawaii and walking out my front door to swim/bike/run. Only bad news is that I caught a nasty cold/flu on the plane back (bound to happen after 16 hours of travel) and am just now starting to feel better. Next week I am headed over to Phoenix for work (not sure who the brains are behind planning a meeting in Phoenix in August) where I will get some quality sauna training in. Then it is over to Houston where I will train in a steam room. All this travel has made it really hard to keep up a schedule, but my wonderful coach has been very patient and made sure that I am getting in all the training required, even if it includes 11PM treadmill sessions or 4Am biking :). Happy training everyone!
Jul 20, 2010
Ironman Training
Ironman training has begun, and the first item of business was to hire a coach! I went back and forth with whether or not I should get one, but after stressing about creating a schedule and talking to a few friends who did their first ironmans with and without coaches, I decided I needed to get one. And she lives in Texas which made my decision that much easier! She knows that I am sort of a problem child with all the travel I do for work and the fact that 90% of my rides are on a trainer, but she agreed to take me on anyway. I have been ramping up the swim/bike over the past few weeks, but this week is our fist official week together and let's just say I hope this week isnt an omen for things to come. I woke up sunday with an awful stomach virus that has left little in my stomach but the three bottles of gatorade I have had since saturday. I am going to attempt to eat dinner tonight and hope I am ok tomorrow. Good news is I am 5 lbs closer to racing weight than I was on saturday! Also, the dog woke up really sick on sunday too - odd. I am beginning to wonder if dogs can pass stuff on to people or vice versa because this is the 3rd time this has happened to me. I assume I will be better tomorrow to get back to training, and I hope I am 100% by Saturday because I am heading to Rio! I have three ocean swims on the schedule next week that will all be done here:
I am very excited to be back in a beach city! Even more exciting is that my visa actually arrived on time so I am legal to go to Brazil.
Oh and has anyone done one of these? Last week when I was at the pool I had someone ask me to join their team for a 4 hour swim. I said sure not really knowing what i was getting in to, but it turns out the 4 hour swim is really a 16 hour race where each person swims an hour and rests 3 until the 16 hours are up. The winning team is the team that goes the farthest. I have no idea who counts lengths of the pool (we are in trouble if I have to count my own laps), but I do know that swimming 4 hours in a pool has got to get a little boring. I am praying that this event is ipod legal so I can wear mine in the water to distract myself. I wonder if the real idea here is to find a team that can actually continue the event without bailing from sheer boredom before the 16 hours are up and they are declared the winner.
I am very excited to be back in a beach city! Even more exciting is that my visa actually arrived on time so I am legal to go to Brazil.
Oh and has anyone done one of these? Last week when I was at the pool I had someone ask me to join their team for a 4 hour swim. I said sure not really knowing what i was getting in to, but it turns out the 4 hour swim is really a 16 hour race where each person swims an hour and rests 3 until the 16 hours are up. The winning team is the team that goes the farthest. I have no idea who counts lengths of the pool (we are in trouble if I have to count my own laps), but I do know that swimming 4 hours in a pool has got to get a little boring. I am praying that this event is ipod legal so I can wear mine in the water to distract myself. I wonder if the real idea here is to find a team that can actually continue the event without bailing from sheer boredom before the 16 hours are up and they are declared the winner.
Jul 3, 2010
Cooking on a saturday
The pool here closes on Saturday from 10-1 and I wanted to watch the Germany vs Argentina game, so my run swim run is gonna be after 1 today. Once the game was over, I had a little time on my hands and decided to test out some home made Lara bars. Well I was hoping to use dates, but apparently my Spanish isnt perfect yet and I ended up using prunes.
When Chris asked what I was doing I showed him the bars and he said they looked like Liko's (our dogs) poo. Lovely image, but he does have a point. Hopefully they taste better than they look. After that I decided to test out a recipe that Beth had for gluten free muffins.
Actually I had Chris test out the recipe since I had to work a bit. We changed the recipe a little and used fresh blackberries instead of dried fruit and they were AWESOME! I scarfed down 4 (as you can see in the photo), and am hoping I can make them last at least until dessert tonight.
This weekend the goal is to start figuring out a training plan for the race. I know it is early, but I am starting from 0 swimming and need to build up for the next couple of months. The pool has a free masters class that I am going to start going to a few times a week, and I will try and get in a bike a week off trainer as well until I really start training. Good news is at least I have a solid running base. I am debating about getting a coach too (either here or virtually). More to come on all of this after I figure out what the hell I am doing.
Happy fourth of July and Happy flotilla-ing in Hawaii (my favorite day of the year there). I will be thinking about you all from my desk when I am working on Monday.
When Chris asked what I was doing I showed him the bars and he said they looked like Liko's (our dogs) poo. Lovely image, but he does have a point. Hopefully they taste better than they look. After that I decided to test out a recipe that Beth had for gluten free muffins.
Actually I had Chris test out the recipe since I had to work a bit. We changed the recipe a little and used fresh blackberries instead of dried fruit and they were AWESOME! I scarfed down 4 (as you can see in the photo), and am hoping I can make them last at least until dessert tonight.This weekend the goal is to start figuring out a training plan for the race. I know it is early, but I am starting from 0 swimming and need to build up for the next couple of months. The pool has a free masters class that I am going to start going to a few times a week, and I will try and get in a bike a week off trainer as well until I really start training. Good news is at least I have a solid running base. I am debating about getting a coach too (either here or virtually). More to come on all of this after I figure out what the hell I am doing.
Happy fourth of July and Happy flotilla-ing in Hawaii (my favorite day of the year there). I will be thinking about you all from my desk when I am working on Monday.
Jul 1, 2010
The only Triathlon on the calendar
Yesterday I found a pool! I cant tell you how excited I was. Granted, it is about $80 more a month than I am used to spending (which is $0) and it is a little far from the house, but my happiness here in Mexico depends on it. I am not me without swimming, and after 1.5 years with 1 swim, I am hoping to feel like me again. To celebrate I signed up for this.
Ahhh, this race is home for me, and I cant think of a better first ironman. I had a long talk with Chris before signing up about what it would take and that I wouldnt have time to do anything other than sleep, eat, train, and work. He already keeps the house in order now, but was totally on board with putting in any extra work I may need, and I love him for it. So that means from now until the real training starts, I have to put in some extra effort when and where I can. I also went through all of these emotions of can I actually do this?, it will most likely be my only triathlon between now and then, is that ok?, will I have time to train?, will I be able to find places to bike off the trainer?, and on and one. Until finally I sucked it up and signed up. This race is in Houston and my family, friends and Chris will be there to cheer me on, and I will give it my best. That is what this is all about right?
Ahhh, this race is home for me, and I cant think of a better first ironman. I had a long talk with Chris before signing up about what it would take and that I wouldnt have time to do anything other than sleep, eat, train, and work. He already keeps the house in order now, but was totally on board with putting in any extra work I may need, and I love him for it. So that means from now until the real training starts, I have to put in some extra effort when and where I can. I also went through all of these emotions of can I actually do this?, it will most likely be my only triathlon between now and then, is that ok?, will I have time to train?, will I be able to find places to bike off the trainer?, and on and one. Until finally I sucked it up and signed up. This race is in Houston and my family, friends and Chris will be there to cheer me on, and I will give it my best. That is what this is all about right?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
