New Format for the Ride For Jess

Due to previous commitments with Life Time Fitness Cycle Club; I'm going to be unable to do the 12 hour bike ride on October 8.

I didn't realize when I picked the date that I was going to 1) be hired at LTF as the coordinator (it was still up in the air) and 2) have a mandatory expo that day.

So here are the new details

When:  Sunday, October 9, 2011
Where: White Rock Lake
Why:    To Raise Money for the Brain Tumor Foundation Dallas/Fort Worth Walk on November 5

The Nitty Gritty:

Anyone is welcome to ride, run, walk, jog, skip, scooter, segway, skate around the lake.

All I ask is that if you are going to come out and participate you make a DONATION to my FUNDRAISING PAGE (any denomination is appreciated!) and either comment here that you are going to participate or email me and let me know.

Take 1/2, 1, 2 or even loops around the lake whatever works for you!  I will try and have ride leaders for 1 loop, 2 loops or 3 loops.

Runners - feel free to come out for your long training day.

Also - if you can participate virtually that would be awesome as well!  Just a make a donation and let me know that you are going to participate!

Hoping to have a few sponsors that will provide some giveaways on race day.

I hope to have your support if you live here in the area and very much hope that you are able to participate!!!!!!

Rollin' Rollin' Rollin'..........

Things have been rollin' along around here at Tri and Finish.... We started our week(s) of travel.... Want to see what it looks like??

I was gone Tuesday/Wednesday in OK for work, came home last night (Wed) we leave tomorrow (Fri) for Houston for a baseball tournament...return home Sunday.

Following Wed (July 6) Bill leaves for a work trip to TN - the Jack Daniel's Distillery...rough work trip I know... and I leave Friday (July 8) for MS for my Aunt and Uncle's 50th wedding anniversary party.  Bill will meet me there on Saturday (July 9) and we return home Sunday (July 10).

I leave Monday (July 11) for Wilmington, DE for work and will not be home until Thursday (July 14) - then I have a tri on July 17 ...  I'm tired just typing that.....

Have you missed me?? I've been kind of MIA on here (not just posting, but commenting too - but trust me I've been reading...can we say lurker??) and on Twitter.... but you know what, LIFE is CYCLICAL and you have to ROLL with the punches...

I have a HUGE idea in my head right now - that's really really really really really really really really hard to keep secret - but I can't let it out JUST yet... in case you know it doesn't come to fruition... but think of an epic idea and times it by 100.......not that I can take credit for the WHOLE idea b/c I can't .. .but darn skippy it's a good one....

Trying to get back on track to regularly blogging (and blogging about good stuff)..... training is semi-halted right now just b/c of the schedule.  Oh - yes - I didn't tell you....

I'm in the process right now of getting on board with Lifetime Fitness as a cycle instructor AND the Cycle Club coordinator.  Which would mean 1 indoor class per week (maybe 2) and then 1 outdoor ride per week.  I'm super excited about it and I hope it all works out - I think I will love putting my passion into a paid (albeit small) position....what a way to earn some extra cash though :)

So as you can see - things are movin' and groovin' over here... house is still on the market... grrrrrrrr...

and I'm counting down the days until we go here:

approx. 75ish days......


ALOHA!!

Race Week...

Holy Crap - 29 weeks of training culminate this week in New Orleans... I can't believe it's here.  I woke up this morning so super excited...also with a cough and runny nose.  I need a doctor STAT to shoot me up with some B12 - I will be calling around.

I can't believe it's here.... I've been thinking and mulling and agonizing over this week.  It's going to be the longest 4 days of work EVER...EVER!!!!!

So this weekend was packed full of training and fun...it was my last long ride/run before NOLA and the sun was out and shining.

Jason and I headed out for a 2 hour on Saturday.... I came home with this...



OUCH!!!

 Sunday - I ran a lazy 5 miles (I was supposed to do 7).  Bill was running in the Original Mud Run in Ft. Worth so I trailed behind them taking pictures...it was a great way to log some miles..... I didn't kill myself but wasn't really "running" either.....ah well....it is what it is and I felt great afterwards!

So I've been thinking about all I've learned/accomplished over the last 29 weeks.... Here's a few...this week more than likely will be dedicated to all things triathlon (NOLA especially) so hang in there...then I'm sure I'll have more stories similar to brownie batter and hummus :)

Things I've learned while training for a half ironman....

1.  It is possible to train for a long distance triathlon and maintain a decent pedicure.  Ask me...I routinely got pedicures during my training :)

2.  Wear sunscreen - always wear sunscreen....don't believe me?  Look up....

3.  You can train alone - although it's more fun with friends.  Thank you to everyone who has logged miles with me be it on a bike, in the pool, or on the pavement.  You have each inspired me more than you know.

4.  Sometimes a long run by yourself is just what you need to shake "that kind of day"

5.  Working out (training for something in particular) makes me a better person. I feel better knowing I'm working towards something.

6.  I take TERRIBLE Race pictures.... what an example?


  

Why can't I look "cool" on the bike - maybe it's because I'm so pale I look pink-ish in color

 

Amber looks cute! I look like I'm in PAIN!



I actually like this one :) Gratuitous shot!

7.  Having a blog to categorize every inch of my life, my training, has been a remarkable asset for me.  Having a bad day? I can blast it to all of you and immediately feel better!  More than that I can recap my entire experience through my posts and that makes me smile.

8.  You don't have to give up your life to train for something you want.  You will make sacrifices.  You will cry sometimes, you smile sometimes, but it's always worth it.

9.  People think I am WAY cooler than I really am when you tell them "I'm training for a half ironman" - I am a nerd at heart and at no point up until the last 29 weeks did I ever consider my self an "athlete"

10.  I know that I have a lifestyle that is healthy which will eventually provide my children a healthy life, give them a mom who will be alive for a long time to nag them, love them, hug them and guide them through life.

Don't forget tomorrow is Tribute Tuesday...... Click the page up top to see what it is all about!! And head over to Janette's blog and wish her Congratulations!!!!!!! Exciting things happening over there!

Rock and Roll Dallas Half Marathon Race Report

**Warning Major Picture Overload**

Let me first start off by saying what a great race RnR Dallas was.  The race and expo were well organized and moved quickly (and on schedule) and overall the race experience was a great one.

I haven't talked much on here about preparing for RnR Dallas for two reasons.... 1) I was using it as a "long training" day run three weeks prior to NOLA70.3.  2) I was running with Amber for her first 1/2 mary and I was more excited for her than I was for me. Honestly, it's kinda like Christmas - I get WAY more excited about giving gifts than I ever do about getting my own.  Make sense?

We like to take silly pictures

Saturday I had a work philanthropy event in Las Colinas for the Make A Wish Foundation a 1mile fun run and 5K.  I signed up for the 1 mile b/c my friend at work's daughter is a wish kid and they were walking the 1 mile; plus I didn't really want to run a 5K on my "off/rest" day....but had to participate since I chair our philanthropy committee.  It was a great event and if you live in DFW (or any city where they host this race as a fundraiser) I recommend you participate in the next one.  Seeing all those kids get so excited was truly heart warming.

After that Amber, John and I ran some errands and then headed downtown for the expo.  I.heart.expos.  I spend way too much money, sign up for too many things, and genuinely get too giddy - but hey - that's me.  Packet pick up was smooth sailing and then we began shopping. I found my new favorite obsession, HoneyMilk Chocolate.  Seriously try it - it will change your life.  I picked up my SPI Belt (that I've been putting off buying)  I know I will need it in NOLA and it was 20% off so SCORE!

We wandered around the expo for awhile and picked up some nutrition, sport beans, chomps, honey stinger waffles (read my review here), and then matching headbands to wear on race day.  We then had our gait analyzed by the Brooks team (videoed while running on the treadmill), scored a free tshirt and then headed out.  (OH! Don't forget our Elvis Pic)

Hunka Hunka burnin' love......

Amber and John booked a hotel room at the Magnolia that was 2 blocks from the start of the race; so I crashed with them since Bill is out of town.  ( he is in Phoenix at Rangers Spring Training)  We showered and headed out for dinner at Coal Vines (the same place I ate (and bloggy meet up) before White Rock).

Cayla, Me and Amber

We shared pizza and pasta and made it our own "family style dinner".  It was a great night with good friends - I'm sad Bill wasn't there to join us and to enjoy the food but he's mingling with pros so he's not suffering :)

Amber and John

After Dinner we headed back to the hotel to prep for the race!  CONFESSION - I have a thing - I have to set out all my race gear the night prior to any race.  It makes me feel prepared and I look at my outfit right before I fall asleep and visualize the race the next day.  It can be called a little OCD but - hey - it works :)

Amber's outfit on the left - mine on the right

We drifted off to dream land around 10:00ish.  At 2:30 we were rudely awaken by the noisy neighbors next door.  I assumed they had just gotten in from a long evening on the town and would be passing out shortly thereafter.  After listening to them yell, scream and screech I had enough.  I called the front desk (6 times before they answered) to report the room next door.  The front desk sent up security which promptly shut the neighbors up for 2.5 seconds.  Literally.  When they got loud again (and I was increasingly getting more irritated) I opened our door with intentions of knocking on theirs.  The security guards was still in the hallway.  My statement to him "Are you taking care of this" - I wanted to follow with "or do I have to" but he answered before I could finish.... He was in deed "taking care of it".  At 3:30 he knocked on their door the second time.   Politely asked them to quiet down. They now have had multiple complaints and after two warnings with no attempt to pipe down he would call the Dallas PD.  One of the gentlemen (use this term loosely) went out into the hallway and talked to the guard - for another 20 min.  I heard their entire conversation.  We are now almost at 4am.  y 4:30 I was back asleep and waiting for my alarm at 6:15.  It was a restless (nearly  sleepless) night.   Good thing I picked up those 5 hour energy's at the Make a Wish event.

Did I tell you we LOVE Silly pictures?

The alarm went off and we were up and at 'em.  Dressed and feeling strong - we were ready to head to the start line and get this party started.

At the start line in our corral

WINNING!

We met Joe Dirt/Brett Michaels in our corral

The lines started moving and we made our way to the start..... off we went.

Not much to report miles 1 - 8.  It was a great run...I enjoyed showing Amber parts of Dallas she had never seen before.  We saw John and Cayla around mile 7....

 Right before the 15K mark - nature called 2 times (if you get my drift).  I didn't want to stop - by this time we were in the middle of Swiss Ave (no port-a-potties).  Great - this could be fun.  My stomach started cramping so we backed off the pace and I just hoped to make it to the finish without crying.  We saw the port-a-potties at mile 10ish but I didn't want to stop - we were so close and I was hoping to beat my WR time (even if by a few seconds).

Mile 11 and 12 sucked...as usual..... it hurts by this point and I think I said about a billion times "HOW ON EARTH AM I GOING TO DO THIS AFTER BIKING 56 F'ING MILES!" 

We entered fair park and the cheering picked up, the bands were playing and we saw our support system.

Finally a kind of cute running pic......

We finished holding hands ... I know so girly..

 

Cayla Amber and me after we finished

I really only do this for the BLING!!!!

We ROCKED RnR Dallas!

Official finishing time: 2:20:47 (40 seconds slower than WR - I blame the stomach cramping)



Silly Picture Outtakes:

Hump Day = Suck Day

Yesterday was probably the toughest mental and physical training day since I started this epic journey 25 weeks ago.  Over the course of the last few weeks I have been becoming increasingly burnt out.  It’s been awhile since I have enjoyed a workout, although I find the ways to push through them (and occasionally skip one or two – I know, I know) I just haven’t been having fun.  I used to LOVE working out.  I loved pushing myself as I reached higher and higher mileage.  I loved being able to watch my speed on my bike increase as the weeks progressed.  With the winter we’ve had and my ever increasing lack of motivation my bike fitness has decreased I feel and as I’ve said a hundred times before; I’m just feeling like I’m totally unprepared for NOLA.

Enter yesterday:

The last two days at work have been crazy.  I’ve been out of the office all day both days visiting different accounts around town with my Regional Executive as well as my boss.  It’s tiring.  The same speech account after account…. The same depressing talk about our losses in Japan, New Zealand, Australia and the US.  Send me business, blah, blah, blah.  I’m sure you know the drill.  But yesterday I was looking forward to ending early, around 3:45, heading to the gym to swim 2600 yds (straight) and then hop on my bike for an hour.  (I love that it is lighter later now!)

Everything was shaping up nicely at work.  Meetings in the morning, a sushi lunch, afternoon meetings went well and then the gym.  Around my second afternoon appt. I started feeling queasy.  Light headed, a little loopy and felt like I was coming down with something.  Bad sushi? Perhaps.  I pushed through my last meeting and headed to the gym. I felt better after a couple of chomps and some water and hopped in the pool.  And off I went.  A straight 2600 yd swim; no break; no warm up; just go.

I got to around 850 yds and my toes started cramping on my right foot.  No biggie – push through it – you can’t stop in NOLA.  It eventually subsided – but decided to reenter on my left foot.  Push through it – you can’t stop in NOLA.  By 950 yds both toes were cramping so bad I could barely kick.  I stopped. (I guess that’s what those kayak’s are for).  I attempted to rub them out in the water.  It wasn’t working… but it felt ok enough to continue swimming.  I got to 1100 and had to stop again.  This time I lifted my left leg onto the side of the pool (bad idea) – My quad felt like it ripped in half.  Literally.  It hurt so bad I thought I was going to vomit in the pool.  Vomit is not good in any pool.

I lifted myself out of the pool and limped to grab my bag.  I cried all the way to the locker room – where again thought I was going to vomit as a woman walked around completely naked.  COMPLETELY NAKED……

I changed out of my suit – and headed home.  I wasn’t sure if I was going to be able to ride my bike b/c of my quad – but I thought what the hell – it’s an hour – it’s light outside and I can do it.  I WILL NOT QUIT.  As I walked in the door; I plopped on the couch next to Bill and proceeded to cry for an hour.  After I was done I loaded my bike and headed out for an hour ride.  I got a good 45 minutes in but the wind was crazy, the trails were super crowded and my toes were cramping again.  I had been beat down just about as low as I have ever been during training.

Needless to say it was a rough day. 

When I got back home Bill and I chilled the rest of the night.  We even got dessert to make me feel better (dessert will ALWAYS make me feel better – and vodka…which we had too)

Something has to change over the next 30 days.  I need to find that passion, that desire, that motivation that I had.  It is all gone.  I’m depleted; I’m empty and the thought of triathlon makes me want to vomit.  What happened to the love (lust) that I once had for the sport has pushed me beyond any limit I ever thought I would reach? 

I decided to change things up – I signed up for the tour Dallas bike rally the first weekend in April to get 30 miles in that weekend with a group of peeps.  Next weekend is the Rock N’ Roll half which will be super fun with friends that are running it.  And then before we know it NOLA will be here.  I’ve never been ready for a race to be over as I am right now.  I hope that the weeks after NOLA I find my passion for this sport that I have grown to love.  Maybe smaller distances are for me?  Maybe I will love the 70.3 so much it becomes my favorite distance? Who knows what the future holds for this AG’er triathlete…. But all I can hope is that something changes between now and April 17.

In happier news: (PINK SCREAMS HAPPY!)

• I totally won The Happy Runner’s Compression sock giveaway which I’m totally stoked about!! I just bought calf sleeves but I haven’t had socks!  VERY EXCITED!!!  (If you don’t follow her you should!)

• We are almost at 100 followers at triandfinish.  Once we get to 100 a super fun giveaway (2 prizes) will be up for grabs in honor of hitting such an awesome milestone!

• Also, my friend Janette and I will be hosting a weekly installment starting next Tuesday titled “Tribute Tuesday’s”.  Janette was inspired by my “Letters to BFF” post(s) and came up with an awesome idea that we have partnered on.  You can grab that button up at the top of the left hand column and on Tuesday link up with us to participate.  It’s going to take the blog world by storm so you should totally participate

• One more thing – do any of you read Jack Sh*t Getting’ Fit?  Go check it out – it’s a very inspiring blog and he does a fun installment of W.I.D.T.H. (Why I Do This Here)…. I submitted my sticky note…. Will you?

Happy St. Patrick’s Day Peeps – hope you are wearing green and are not getting pinched!

Now back to work, a 7 mile run and then it’s on to green beer and Irish food……….

A hill country weekend and 10 miles

This weekend was very fun!  We celebrated Cayla’s 30^th birthday in Austin as well as Fredericksburg and Luckenbach.  (If you aren’t from Texas - You’ve probably only heard of Austin).  Fredericksburg is a small German settled community in the middle of the Texas Hill Country.  It’s located about an hour and a half outside of Austin and is known for it’s local Texas Wineries (Check out Becker Vineyards if you are ever in the area),  Downtown shopping district, and 15 miles outside of town is Enchanted Rock State Park. The neighboring town, Stonewall is famous for their peaches; Former President Lyndon B. Johnson’s ranch is in Stonewall also, he and Lady Bird are both buried there.  Luckenbach is a tiny (and I mean tiny) town, it’s not even a town really…it’s basically a dance hall, a store and a walk up bar.  It was made famous by Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson when they released the song “Luckenbach, Texas” – the town slogan “Everyone’s Somebody in Luckenbach”.

Now that you’ve had your Texas history lesson for the day:

We had a blast….if you know me or have followed me for awhile you will know that my all time favorite band is Reckless Kelly.  In college we used to travel hundreds of miles and probably spent thousands of dollars on tickets (and beer…and merchandise)….although my time traveling to see RK has been drastically reduced since becoming an “adult” – I still try and see them whenever I can including last year on my birthday when I combined my two favorites – The Texas Rangers and a post game concert by RK.  Too bad it was 107 degrees outside…I thought I was going to die….I thought my mom was going to die….

I digress….this was supposed to be about Cayla…

We loaded up Friday after work and headed to Austin where we met up with Cay’s childhood friend McKenzie and Cay’s little sister, Katy.  We ventured downtown and had dinner at Iron Cactus (I actually turned down a margarita…*gasp*!)  Then zig zagged around Sixth Street where we ended up at Pete’s Piano Bar.  No matter how many times I go there, and am fully aware of their shtick…. I have fun.  We sang, danced, got Cayla up on stage and had a great time! 

Saturday we headed to Fredericksburg for an afternoon at the spa, some good German food and Reckless Kelly in Luckenbach. 

It was a great celebration of a great friend and I’m so happy Cayla had a great time for her 30^th bday!

I got home yesterday around 4:30 – took a short nap and headed out for a 10 mile run. 

I laced up my shoes, strapped on my Road ID and Garmin and hit the pavement.  I knew it was going to be tough….I wasn’t properly hydrated (I drank a 40 oz bottle of water on the way home in preparation but knew it wasn’t going to be enough) and I missed my last long run last week b/c of house stuff.  But alas – I was going to push through.

I headed out of our neighborhood and planned to run 4.2 miles to the nature preserve….one loop around the nature preserve ~1.5 miles and then head home for a total 10 miles … (throw in an extra turn to round out the 10).

I started out feeling great….I was averaging about a 9:50 pace for the first 2.5 miles.  I knew I wasn’t going to last at that pace so I backed off…plus the street that takes me from our neighborhood to the nature preserve is pretty hilly…hilly in Texas terms mind you…..at mile 3.5 I saw road kill. EWWWW!

I reached the nature preserve and felt awesome…. This is where I ran my fastest six mile time last week in 1hr flat so I knew I could pick up some time here.  I pushed it…and finished my loop then headed back.  The sky was starting to get dark and I was afraid they were going to open up on me and pour.  Luckily – I missed the rain…I got a few sprinkles but nothing like it appeared was going to happen.

At 7 (and the second dose of road kill) I bonked out.  It felt like I had nothing left in my tank.  Zero…empty….no energy, no water, no fuel.  I blew through my chomps when I hit mile 5 at the preserve and stopped at the water fountain there. (I hate running with water bottles so I try and plan my runs where there is adequate hydration stops…be it fountains, gas stations, friends houses, etc)

I had only about ½ mile to go before I could hit up the 7-11….*high five to me for remembering cash in my belt*

I ran in 7-11 (letting my Garmin track every step until I was in the store) purchased a bottle of water *best purchase ever* and headed home.  3 miles to go.  I knew that even if I had to walk every step of that 3 miles – it could take me 30 minutes, an hour, 3 hours, whatever I was going to finish this run.  Even if f it killed me.

I hit the pavement (water in hand) and started running again.  I pulled off my ipod and just listened to my feet pounding the pavement….my breath *in and out, in and out*, and visualized being three miles from the finish in NOLA.  Then psychosis set in.

I started talking to myself…. I realized too I wasn’t talking to myself in my head but I was ACTUALLY vocalizing my thoughts.  (Hope someone doesn’t hear me and call the looney van to pick me up)

I remember saying…

“You can do this”

“You are going to finish”

“You do this b/c it makes you happy at the end and a better person”

“You do this b/c you want to be healthy and live a long time”

“You do this to give your future kids an active/healthy mom”

“You will do this b/c you love it”

“You will do this b/c you set your mind to it”

“You will do this b/c people believe in you”

“You will do this b/c you believe in yourself”

Then low and freakin’ behold I was around the corner from my house and the run was over

10 miles – 1hr and 48min – 10:48 pace

One last thing – I’m so close to 100 followers!! When I get there I’ll be hosting a giveaway of my favorite things!  I’m so excited – 9 more to go – so tell your friends!!!

Surprises and Swimming

Currently my laptop has burned the inside of my leg b/c I am catching up on 296 blog posts.  Yes 296.  I haven't read a blog in quite some time.  Last week at work was crazy (we closed our month on Thursday) and then Friday the peeps started rolling in for Bill's surprise party.

I couldn't mention anything on here b/c if Bill read it then the surprise would have been a bust - but for the last month I have been secretly planning a kick ass surprise party for him at our house...fully equipped with 30 of our closest friends and family, catering, drinks, and debauchery.

We had an awesome time and Bill was so very surprised.  It warmed my heart when he was genuinely surprised and not just surprised as to not hurt my feelings.  I was so busy during the party I didn't take any pictures so I don't have any to share on here....but it was full of this...

If there is one in your area you should hit it up immediately.  This little taco shop started in Ft. Worth next to the campus of TCU and has now franchised and expanded into six states other than Texas.  Delicious.

As for training - last week was an epic fail.  After my terrible swim on Monday I rode my trainer twice (once on Tuesday and once on Wednesday) and the rest of the week was a bust.  Seriously bad.  But maybe a few rest days was what I needed.  Today I went to the gym and banged out 2600yds in the pool with 1600 yds of that being a self imposed mile time trial.  42:22 was my mile time.  I'm ok with that.  I believe if I keep that pace in NOLA I should be able to meet my goal of one hour in the water. 

I've been thinking about my goals for NOLA lately.  So far I've set my swim goal......bike and run are still TBD.

Tomorrow I'm traveling for work to New Mexico (Albuquerque and Santa Fe) and then it's back home Wednesday/Thursday and then it's back out of town Friday for a wedding.

We have 4 weddings so far this year --- 3 of which we have to travel for. 

It was natural that since training was an epic fail that blogging would be too.  So my blog fell off the radar last week.  I'm back - so don't fret.

I'm enjoying the rest of my day off today for President's Day and gettin' my hair did. 

Off to get the roots died so I don't look like hooker....

ups and downs

I had a tough day yesterday with my training.

I was on such a high from my run on Sunday that I tought surely I would kill my workout on Monday.  Typically, for me, the state of euphoria I enter after an awesome training session lingers for at least a few days - but not this time.

I did my weights/core workout during lunch and rocked it.  I hammered out my whole set (3 times) with core in like 30 minutes.  I was feeling strong, accomplished, and proud of myself that I completed it during lunch rather than give in and go eat with friends.  1 point Allison.

I cut out a little early from work to avoid the Aqua Bitches and also so that I could wrap up my swim fairly early and Bill and I could make it to dinner at a reasonable hour for Valentines Day.

I got to the gym, changed - there was only 1 gentlemen in the pool...score.  Hopped in - started my watch and started swimming.

I swam my 500 yd warm up no problem.

Then I hit a wall.  By this time I was sharing a lane, which doesn't bother me all that much.  In fact I sometimes wish they would swim closer to me or kick me or push me under just to simulate race day, but that's beside the point. 

After my warm up I was slated to do a 200 yd kick drill.  I hate putting my fins on in the gym pool so I skipped it and went right to my 300 yd pull.

I couldn't find my breath and became increasingly more irritated.  I was gulping in water through my mouth and nose.  I could get my flip turns right.  I was a hot mess.

After my set of pull I went back to just swimming.  I swam another 300ish yds and the same thing.  I couldn't find my rhythm. Nothing was helping.

I did something I haven't done in a long time.....

I gave up.  I said f' it.  I'm out of here.

I got out of the water; grabbed my stuff and stomped to the locker room like a child picks up his toys and stomps home.

By this time I was crying.

I changed into dry clothes got in my car and sat in silence the whole way home. (except for the few minutes I talked to Bill on the phone)  I kept thinking - I'm not ready, I'm never going to be able to finish NOLA, I won't be ready in 60 days..... doubt crept in and still lingers today.

I know that my goal is to finish...and finish in an upright position.  But I also want to compete knowing that I left everything out there for 70.3 miles.  I can't give up on race day.

I guess it's just one of those days....at dinner last night I compared my training to bipolar disorder.... some days your up and some days your down.....and sometimes it is a very drastic swing.

L.O.V.E

First of all - Welcome to my new followers :) We are up to 83 which is totally rockin' my socks off right now.  Thanks to all of you 83 who tune in and follow my random-ness :)

It's Monday - again - which instinctively blows because it's Monday.  But it also means, a new training week and one day closer to my ultimate goal NOLA 70.3....Oh yes - it's Valentine's day also.



Happy Valentines Day :)

I'm so thankful to have Bill.  I'm not typically all lovey-dovey on here.  But I am so grateful for the love and unconditional support he gives me.

He deals with me when I'm extremely grumpy - usually stemming from hunger or fatigue.  He supports me in all of my crazy ideas (#1 this 70.3), he showers me with I love yous, kisses, hugs and more laughs than you can possibly imagine.

I think that's one of the things I love most about him - his innate ability to  make me laugh until I cry or puke.  Yes I've puked because I laughed too hard.  Actually it was last week.... I was drinking water; he said something funny, I choked, spit water out of my nose and then upchucked.  It was awesome and one of my finer moments for sure.

He surprised me this morning with a pearl necklace....get your mind out of the gutter - not THAT kind.  A real extended strand, freshwater, pearl necklace that has it's own pretty little case that folds open like you see in the movies.  It is gorgeous.  I changed my outfit so I could wear it today.  It is amazing..... he always picks up on the little things.  I had mentioned once that I wanted a longer pearl necklace b/c the one I have was my grandmothers and it's almost choker style.... he remembers which is also another reason why I love him.

We are going out to dinner tonight after we workout.  I have to swim 2500yds and he has weights and cardio.  My weight training is getting done during lunch so we can finish at approximately the same time at the gym, shower, and head to dinner.

In case you are wondering, I surprised him yesterday with his present.  I had our friend come over and hang the TV on the wall in the living room.  We bought a new TV right after the holidays (55inch 3D LCD) ... it looks great on the wall and makes the sound so much better.  Amazing what a little lift can do.  He was so surprised when we got home yesterday from my nephew's bday ... stunned actually.  It was great to see his face.

His 30th is on Friday - I can't wait to celebrate :)

In training news:

I had a great training week this week.  This was the first time we've stepped up my running since WR b/c of the issues I was having with my shin/calf.  I ran like the wind last night in my six miler.  In 1 hour and 1 min. I ran a hilly six miles through North Dallas.  I felt a little tight last night in my shin and IT band but did some stretching and felt good this morning.

Saturday was a BRICK (biking and running in combination) workout.  20ish mile bike ride and then a 2 mile run.  I rocked it.  Bill thought so to and treated me to our favorite Greek place for dinner (Zorba's) and then we went and saw The King's Speech. (go see it - it is a great movie).  I didn't have popcorn or soda either.....or butterfingers...which are my true weakness....along with Reese's peanut butter cups.  I like candy can you tell?

Like I said today is weights/core at lunch then swimming tonight....and then a night on the town with my honey....wine will be included :)

What are you doing for Valentines Day? Training, spending it with loved ones, trying to forget it's Valentines?????

Random-ness

I'm glad you all got a kick out of my nickname for the "ladies" (use the term ladies loosely - ladies imply that there is some sort of decorum about you)...... hope none of you were offended.

We are snowed iced in again today.

Here's a pic of the road when Bill and I got out to go to the dry cleaners and the gym.

Blogger is being a punk again and not inserting my pics correctly.....ready.set.rotate your monitor.

The roads are shimmery with ice.  The main roads appear to be getting better but the side/neighborhood/parking lot roads are terrible.  I like staying in - we've watched movies, cooked and relaxed for two days straight.

We did venture out to the gym today....



damn you blogger

I did weights/core and an hour on the spin bike.

Nice.

I also started reading this little gem:

I won this from Jeff over at Reckless Abandon - when I'm done with it I'll be re gifting as a giveaway so stay tuned.

Other than that we are trying to stay warm.  We are supposed to be heading out for the DeMarcus Ware and Andre Jerrod Superbowl Party tonight with Grey Goose.  No worries I'll have my camera for any celebrity sightings.

Peace in the middle east....... I'm going to convince Bill to watch The Social Network.

Snow Day in Tejas...

As you may have heard by now all of us DFW'd-ers are 'snowed in'.  Mother Nature dumped about 2 inches of ice and snow and is delivering 35+ mile an hour winds.  Majority of schools, businesses, airports are shut down.

As we speak I'm cuddled up by this:

blogger is currently being stubborn is rotating my pictures....

And Bill is at my house turning on my heat, opening cabinets, wrapping pipes and letting water drip.  We may see single digits tonight and to avoid a disaster at the vacant home 1 mile down the road he's taking care of me.  Sweet boy didn't want me to have to get out in this.  I don't think he's necessarily HAPPY about having to go over there but he is going none the less and I love him for it.

So until he gets back and we can enjoy a day cuddled up on the couch together watching movies I thought I'd update y'all.

Last night I had a 2500 yd swim scheduled.  I headed to the gym after work to get it in before we went to dinner with Bill's dad and brothers. I ALWAYS rush to get changed and get in the pool b/c the 24 hour fitness by my work only has a 2 lap lane pool.  If I get there too late - well - it's too late.

I hop in and start swimming.

500 warm up. *check*
6 x50's kick - alternating with kick board and then dolphin *check*
500 pull with buoy and fins *check*

1300 yds done....

I planned on swimming 1000yds for time.  Ready.set.freestyle.....

I count my yds in 50 yd increments.  soooo 20 x 50 = 1000.

1...2...3...4...5...6...7............7 1/2

I was turning around to finish my 8th 50 ... half way back I get hit in the head with the lane divider. I didn't know that aqua class was starting at 6:30.

I popped out of the water - thinking I had gotten in her way and this (I will exclude the profanity) woman copped attitude with me.  Here's our dialogue.

Me: "Oh my goodness - I'm so sorry"

Aqua bitch: "Um we have class"

Me" "Sure no problem - what time does it start"

Aqua bitch: "The internet says 6:15"

Me: "OK well I'm sorry to be in your way, are you sure it's 6:15 b/c it's already 6:20 and I don't see your instructor"

Aqua bitch: "I saaaaaaaaaid 6:15"

* At this point another lady jumps in and says "Actually we start at 6:30"*

Me: "Great I'll be out as soon as your teacher gets here - give me 10 minutes until your class starts and I"ll be more than happy to get out"

Finish 8

9....10....11....12.....13.....13 1/2

*SPLASH, SPLASH SPLASH, .... ALLISON ALMOST DROWNS*

Aqua bitch #2 - jumps, literally got air and jumped off the side into the "deeper" end of the pool - almost on top of me

Again - I pop out of the water........

Me: "I'm so sorry was I in your way?"

Aqua bitch 2: "No - We told you we have aqua class"

Me; IRRITATED AS ALL GET OUT: "and i said I would get out as soon as your instructor got here which is not for another 5 minutes."

Aqua bitch 2; mumbles something under her breath

Me:  Starting swimming with a little extra kick/splash

14.....15......16....17

Thanks for the open water training in the pool with the waves and such...

18........ instructor shows up....dammit I only had 100 yds left.

Swim: 2400 yds...... despite the aqua bitches.

Weekend Wrap Up

First off - let me say I had an AWESOME training week last week.  It wasn't necessarily the quality of the workouts or any extra effort I put into it - it was that I hit all 7 days of workout - 100%!


It is a great feeling to know that you accomplished your goals and it is even better when you can FEEL yourself getting stronger.  I think by adding weights and core work 2-3 times a week over the last three weeks has made a HUGE difference.  I have lost 4 pounds over the last few weeks and can actually start seeing the difference in the way my clothes fit.  I put on a pair of pants today that used to be a little tight, not like "she needs one size bigger" tight - but snug - and the they are loose on me today.  I am having a good Monday.


Now on to the weekend.....

I was scheduled to do a 4 mile interval run on Friday.  Run at 80% for 8 minutes, walk 2 repeat until I hit 4 miles.


Bill hadn't run outside since we ran 2 miles together awhile ago (and I PR'd with like an 8min something mile - I was sprinting basically the entire time.) so he was a little nervous to do 4 with me, but I knew he could do it.  He is in so much better shape than he gives himself credit for. 


I got out of work early on Friday and was very excited to spend some time outside since it was 70 degrees and GORGEOUS!  We hit up the gym for weights first then headed outside to the greenbelt for a 4 miler.  FYI - I love my GARMIN!


We had an awesome run together....it is one of the best feelings - us being active together and taking responsibility to be healthy together.  With the history of heart disease in both our families it gives me a little extra warm and fuzzy each time we workout and eat healthy.


Friday night we decided to try a new restaurant.  We are big on trying new places..... we found an authentic German restaurant in Plano, The Bavarian Grill.

Umm.. it was every bit of goodness that it sounds.  We started with a cheese plate (Camembert, Emmentaler, Gruyere and smoked Gouda), then a mixed salad with carrots, green beans, cucumber dill, tomatoes with green onions and pickled beets.  (not a fan of beets)

For dinner I chose some form of schnitzel that was delicious with a potato pancake and a mixed salad.  Bill had some dumpling something or other with a bunch of mushrooms and it was scrumptious.  Everything was in German so pardon my lack of description….I weighed HEAVILY on the waitress’s suggestions.

We each had a few German beers…again not sure of the names.  I had a hefeweizen I know for the first one – not sure the second and I have no clue what Bill had. (good descriptions huh?)

It wouldn’t have been complete without dessert – a chocolate cake of pure decadence and an apple strudel – yes we had both don’t judge!!!!

Saturday I went and met up with Cayla to ride bikes.  We got some good mileage in and for fun stopped and took this pic.

If you follow me on Twitter (@allie0622) you’ve seen this before!

We hung out for awhile – ate on a patio because the weather was PERFECT AGAIN! And then I headed home.  Bill was out with some friends prepping baseballs for the Texas Rangers spring training.  Don’t ask me – all I know is they rub a specially ordered type of mud on all the balls and have a BBQ. 

Sunday we met up with my friend Laura, Karen and Randy, and Cayla for breakfast.  Laura was in town for the stock show and it was great to see her!  We were college roommates and had one too many o’ fun time together.

Karen, Randy, Bill and I headed to ZestFest 2011  It was festival of hot sauce, salsa, dips and all around indulgence.  After a big breakfast it probably wasn’t the best idea – but we had fun anyway.

Bill took some ridiculous challenge of 7 hot sauces…the last one being called “Black Mamba” he was hurting until this morning if that tells you anything.  Good News….we got a pic of him in his winning gear

He was a trooper and headed to the gym on Sunday night with me…. He lifted weights and ran and I just ran.  After that a serious hurricane of cleaning hit our house and we went to town.  Baseboards, fan blades, showers, tubs, you name it – it all got cleaned.  Boo – ya!  Lovin’ a clean house!

Coming up this week:

A week packed full of AWESOME Superbowl parties!!!! Bill scored tickets to an event almost every night this week through work.  Go ahead ask….”Allison, what party are you most excited about?”

You got that right – Bill got us tickets to the PRIVATE B.E.P concert on Friday night.  So freakin’ excited I almost peed my pants.  Seriously- I almost peed…he told me when I had to go to the bathroom reallly really bad! Haha! 

Lots of training – did a weight and core workout at lunch today – check the side bar for other workouts.

Busy work week – as usual.  But this keeps me motivated…

Yes that's my Matty Run Run sticker on my cube at work....Seriously having a bad day? A pink unicorn can cheer anyone up!

Jason is also coming up to work on Friday to speak with our walking/running group.  VERY EXCITED ABOUT THAT!! Nutrition is a HUGE interest for the folks in our walking program and I think Jason's knowledge is going to be very helpful for them!  Not to mention I hope he gets like 10 new participants in MM!

I will see A LOT of these this week:

The Packers are staying across the street from my office....... guaranteed to see at least a few prostitutes this week.  (follow me on twitter and you would have heard that joke a few days ago - yes I'm reusing it.  I'm sure Daniel Tosh reuses jokes too... @allie0622)  I may be making a few extra trips to Starbucks just to see what I can see....you know what I mean?

How was your weekend?????

PS - GO CLICK HERE FOR MY PSIL'S SUPER FUN WEEK OF GIVEAWAYS!