tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36606704974592176122024-03-05T14:41:11.222-06:00Climbing those hills...TriMOEngrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06263218066341525194noreply@blogger.comBlogger386125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3660670497459217612.post-51894308064200733192018-01-22T10:51:00.000-06:002018-01-22T10:51:26.746-06:00It's Never Easy I think this is just something I need to learn to accept. Losing and/or maintaining my weight will never be easy. There will always be something! I've still managed to drink more water, way less soda (though I've fallen off the wagon here and there). I've managed to eat out significantly less by continuing to try some new recipes in the instant pot and eating more from home (but again...life happens and this isn't always possible). I have met with the personal trainer a few more times and suffered for it, but know that I probably wouldn't have pushed myself anywhere nearly as hard without his encouragement. I think this week is our last session so I might have to invest in some more. I haven't increased my exercise as much as I should, but I am working on it. <br />
<br />
The depression persists and wasn't helped by an extremely stressful week after losing my mother-in-law while facing deadlines and then a busy weekend in Kansas City watching daughter play volleyball (though managed to eat cheaper and healthier out of a cooler and snack bag we took than I have in the past - only two dinners out though I had a margarita and a little wine both nights). Came back just in time to scramble to get daughter out the door again for the March for Life trip, but did take advantage of her being gone to catch up with my Society of Women Engineers group Thursday (always a plus for my mental status). Work continues to kick my ass, but I'm slowly chipping away at the pile.<br />
<br />
Spent Saturday morning while daughter was on bus back from Washington D.C. cooking away with my Instant Pot and made chipotle lime cauliflower "rice", crack chicken (minus the bacon as I didn't have any), a dozen hard boiled eggs and bbq pulled pork. All turned out relatively well. Hit the gym yesterday when I really just wanted to lay on my butt. Need to sweet talk hubs into setting up the bike trainer. That was on a to do list a couple weeks ago before everything else blew up.<br />
<br />
MMNW (Monday Morning Naked Weight): 198.4 - Lowest I've seen this year, but there was some bouncing back up during the funeral week. Deep breath...didn't get fat overnight...not gonna get thin overnight.<br />
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<br />TriMOEngrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06263218066341525194noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3660670497459217612.post-53473329183043697882018-01-04T11:03:00.000-06:002018-01-04T11:03:57.728-06:00Crawling Back Up the HillBeen a long time, but I need a place to put my thoughts and this is still handy. Things went south a few years ago and I just lost my way. First a little bit, then sorta found it again, then really went off the rails the last two years. It hasn't been pretty. And I feel like I have dug myself a deep hole and part of me just wants to stay in it and wallow. But I've been doing that for too long. And I am tired of being unhappy and tired. Again. Timeline for reference:<br />
<br />
- Jan 1, 2011: Tired of being fat and unhappy. Woke up weighing most in my life = 213.0 lbs.<br />
<br />
- July 2011: First TWO triathlons completed. Ugly. Dead last at one. But done. Down to about 190#. Making progress. Blog started.<br />
<br />
- July 2012: Have done some other races and repeat the triathlons from the first year dropping nearly 40 min from my time after also dropping another 30#.<br />
<br />
- 2013: More races. More blogging. First attempt and first completion of bike century. Happiest I've been in years. Put back on a little bit of weight, but felt like life was in a really good place. Ended year in the 170's weight wise.<br />
<br />
- 2014: Raced some more. Bounced around in the 170's weight wise. Still pretty happy with regular life, but losing my race mojo. Thought I needed a new big hairy ass goal (BHAG). Signed up for a half marathon. Ended up injured (bone bruise verge of stress fracture and arthritis in my feet diagnosis). Gimped around all fall. Stopped blogging.<br />
<br />
- 2015: Other things in life happened and I really dug into dropping some unwanted weight. Got down to 150 briefly. Felt sexy and fit, but still wasn't really feeling racing. Hadn't given it up completely though. I did the inaugural Rocheport Roubaix in 20 degree weather early in the year. I did TriZou (with a sucktastic swim as I recall). I did the Show Me Games triathlon after rain delay with hubs doing the duathlon and us both medaling (love those small races). We did one of the last Epic Mud Runs with friends and family. Then end of the year I took a really bad step into my garage tripping over my son's size 12 shoes and down I went. Bad ankle sprain and I was out. Crutches for Christmas. Honestly, this was likely the beginning of the end. Ended the year about 160 as I recall.<br />
<br />
- 2016: Depression set in on multiple fronts. Foot and ankle pain persisted. I forced myself to participate with my family in one triathlon in Aug that was the worst swim of my life, an ok bike ride and a slow trudge to the finish line. Work was awful with a big project that caused me to lose sleep on a regular basis. I coped with eating. I ended the year at 180. Vowed I would find the mental energy to fight the fight and get back to where I wanted to be. <br />
<br />
- 2017: Couldn't shake the depression. Couldn't find the mental energy with another big project starting in Feb that also made me lose sleep and stress all the time. Ate more to cope with how unhappy and stressed I was. Gutted my way through two fifty mile bike ride events with hubs (he rode more than me both events, but fifty was all I could eek out). Barely ever ran as feet, ankles, knees...everything just hurt. Swam literally ONCE. First year since 2011 I did not do a triathlon. I did the Pie Run at Thanksgiving...mostly walking the 5K...some jogging and was super sore. Started going to a personal trainer the end of the year once a week, but overall...it was a crap year. <br />
<br />
- Jan 1, 2018: Woke up and weighed in. Needed to see how big this hill I need to climb really is. Face it. Tell it I am going to kick its ass. 205.6 Almost back where I started, but not quite. Feel pretty awful for letting it get this bad again.<br />
<br />
I've done this before. I can do it again. Unfortunately, work is a stressful as ever. Kids schedules are as crazy as ever (though I now have one driving which is a blessing and a curse). I feel like this bad mental space won't ever improve, but my poor eating/drinking habits won't make it better so I'm just going cold turkey. No coke. No alcohol. No eating junk. Time to detox this body. This week I've focused on drinking water. Eating lean protein (chicken and eggs mostly). Some fruit to help feel more full. Tried a few new recipes in my Instant Pot I got for Christmas. Tue night we got our butts kicked by the personal trainer. Last night just did some walking around the perimeter of Wal-Mart as it was cold and we both needed some steps. Not sure what I will get today for exercise. Daughter's activities eating up most of my evening. We'll see. Hopefully I will check in more here and see what I can do to mark some progress.<br />
<br />
Happy New YearTriMOEngrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06263218066341525194noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3660670497459217612.post-77889628568354953522014-08-04T21:27:00.001-05:002014-08-05T22:06:06.758-05:00Moving right along<p dir="ltr">Bonus points to anyone who read that post title and thought  of a song from the original Muppet movie. Love Me some Fozzie bear and Kermit.</p>
<p dir="ltr">7/<u>24</u>: Ran 3 miles.  Last day of tennis lessons for daughter.  Cool weather made for a nice outing on Greenway. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Friday rest. </p>
<p dir="ltr">7/26: ran 4 miles.  To Caseys and back. Hot and muggy and just before getting in car for family vacation.  Hiked with family after dinner.  </p>
<p dir="ltr">7/27: spent day in canoe and went for hike after dinner - calling it cross training. </p>
<p dir="ltr">7/28: kids got up early to go trout fishing with dad.  I did another hike with a couple spots of trail running.  Bennett spring state park too pretty for a rest day. "Rested" in truck on way home.</p>
<p dir="ltr">7/29:  3 miles</p>
<p dir="ltr">7/30: 3 miles</p>
<p dir="ltr">7/31: almost blew it off.  Left at 10:45 pm. Did best run pace so far.  Go figure.  3 miles.  Got home in time to register before next price hike.  It is done.  </p>
<p dir="ltr">8/1: rest</p>
<p dir="ltr">8/2: friend Emily just finished c25k and offered to hit katy trail for my 5 miles with me.  There was a fair amount of walking for both of us.  Ended up with 5.4. Then long day working at benefit fundraiser for friend.</p>
<p dir="ltr">8/3: blew off cross training workout. </p>
<p dir="ltr">8/4: got on bike for cross training makeup - 12 miles. Brutal day of school supply and school clothes shopping.  Walked a couple brisk miles in the evening with husband. </p>
<p dir="ltr">8/5: 4 miles with Stacy before work. Way more walking than there should have been. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Getting it done! </p>
TriMOEngrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06263218066341525194noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3660670497459217612.post-88567425915115818462014-07-23T11:54:00.000-05:002014-07-23T11:54:28.348-05:00Run 2 of 48I did it again. Got up at 5:45 AM and drug my ass out the door - into a freaking sauna of a morning. I decided the same route would be too boring so I went the other direction. I jogged along even though everything felt tight. My pace was about 40 seconds/mile slower than yesterday though it was 10 degrees warmer with like 100% humidity so I'm trying not to beat myself up about it. I walked some of the uphill (and yes, some of the flat) sections. But I knocked out run #2 of the Hal Higdon novice training plan. It called for 3 miles. I turned around at Stacy's house which is 1.61 miles away for 3.22 mi total at 13:20 min/mi pace. Feel good for getting it done. <br />
<br />
Posted a selfie across from Stacy's house with a bit of a quiz to my Facebook friends:<br />
<br />
"Quick quiz: This is the spot on my run this morning where I:<br /> A. Figured out what I forgot last night. <br /> B. Thought "running is stupid"<br /> C. Turned around<br /> D. Almost called Bill to come get me<br /> E. Missed the old days of running with Stacy<br /> F. All of the above"<br />
<br />
For those who couldn't guess: the answer is "F". I was supposed to drop off some reports I wrote for the County (her husband is the County Engineer) last night which I remembered this morning as I approached her house. I really should have said "running in very humid weather is stupid". I did turn around. I did consider not running back. I really do miss running late at night with Stacy though she start a new job last spring that has her running around all day long - without me.<br />
<br />
The training plan (if I choose to stick with it - still debating the "craziness") - calls for running 4x/week and one cross-training workout a week. I might also do some strength and/or stretching stuff on the rest days. So in 12 weeks, that is 48 runs plus probably 12 bike rides. This was run #2. We'll see if I can keep this up. Tomorrow is my usual day to run longer with Susan. Maybe we can tick off the 4 miles I'm supposed to do Saturday and then I can do another 3 miler then. We'll see!TriMOEngrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06263218066341525194noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3660670497459217612.post-65373846512709055032014-07-22T16:31:00.000-05:002014-07-22T16:31:41.203-05:00Am I Half Crazy?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I may be considering signing up for my first half marathon. I may be a little jealous that my friend Susan already has 2 medals for finishing two of them (Roots and Blues last fall and Rock the Parkway this past spring). She may have been urging me to sign up for the St. Louis Rock and Roll Half in October to me for a month or two. It is just 12 weeks away so I will soon need to "shit or get off the pot" as they say. Decisions! Decisions! <br />
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I read in Runner's World the other day that one way to get more motivated is to sign up for a new race distance therefore giving you an automatic PR. I like the way whoever wrote that thinks! And I'm not above being a bit of a bling whore. I did really like my medal from the Show Me State Games last weekend, even if I basically had to show up and finish to get it.<br />
<br />
So on a bit of a lark last night, I looked up a novice half marathon training plan from Hal Higdon online. It looked relatively doable. The biggest issue will be running more consistently. That once or twice a week just won't cut it. I need to focus on the fact that not all runs need to be fast (which is good since nothing I ever run could be considered "fast") and that not all runs need to be long (which lately I seem to do ok in getting in one long run, but very few shorter ones - sometimes it is easier to set aside one long chunk of time).<br />
<br />
Since the forecast was for "just a hair off the surface of the sun" hot today, I woke up early and did a sunrise run of 3.1 miles at a ridiculously slow 39 minutes (though in my defense, I did the big Wavco hill in the 2nd mile). Getting out of bed before 6 AM is not my idea of a good time, but it fit in my day better and avoided the worst of the heat (though the humidity was already out in full force). Now let's see if I can do it again tomorrow and Thursday and maybe run 4 miles on Saturday before I pull the trigger on paying the big bucks to run a race with 2999 other half crazy folks.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">About one mile in standing on Moreau River bridge - the oranges and pinks that were so <br />
pretty were not sufficiently captured by the cell phone selfie camera</td></tr>
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TriMOEngrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06263218066341525194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3660670497459217612.post-78067276195041256992014-07-20T16:22:00.000-05:002014-07-20T16:22:05.473-05:00Show Me State Games 2014Seriously, I wasn't all that excited for this race. I knew I could probably finish. I knew that the swim would suck. I hoped I wouldn't be dead last, but was about half expecting to be. The only saving grace was that the weather forecast was probably 10-20 degrees cooler than in past years. And my husband was standing there telling me I just "couldn't skip this one" and ruin my streak (this being my 4th time at this race in 4 years).<br />
<br />
I didn't even bother to sign up ahead of time still half hoping I could beg off. But with some more than gentle nudging from husband, I threw my stuff together last night and got to bed at a reasonable hour. Slept in until 6, rolled out of bed and dressed, grabbed my gear and a peanut butter sandwich (plus a banana that never did get eaten) and loaded the family in the truck for the easy 30 min ride to Columbia. God bless local races! <br />
<br />
Registration went pretty smooth. I lucked out and the lady didn't even charge me the extra $5 late fee so I did the race for a mere $30 (which helped offset the fact that they raised the entry fee $5 this year - whoopee). The line was pretty short and I still had plenty of time to set up transition, take a few pictures, visit with Tara (gal I met wearing an awesome SUAR tee), and hang out before strolling over to the water.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Setting up my transition area</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My tallest fan - and the reason I got moving today! Bless him!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All ready to go on the boat ramp carpet </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thanks to my daughter for this picture of the first buoy <br />
(tiny orange dot in the distance that men are heading towards - never mind the big butt in the foreground!)</td></tr>
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This year they let all the men go first and then 5 min later sent out the women and teams. There was this guy with a teeny, very colorful speedo that cracked me up and went out with us gals as he was on a team. For a bit I stood next to a lady that was in my age group and she said she would fight me for a medal, but laughed because she said she hadn't seen anyone else in our age group (40-44). Hey, gotta love small races! I had another person tell me thank you for my blog at the race which was funny (though apparently I have one of the easier to find race reports out there). <br />
<br />
It was kind of hard to hear the dude say "Go!" so we were all just standing around kind of wondering when we'd start, but finally we all started listening for it. I suggest they use an airhorn next year. I was in the middle as we headed out which was dumb, but I didn't want to be up on the ramp knowing I'd have to tiptoe through the rocks at the end of the ramp (plus the lake weeds). After a few bumps and one good knock to the side of my face, I was solidly at the back and only about 1/2 way to the first buoy (which was more to the left this year). I made the turn to Buoy #2 and was going into the sun. Most of the swim I felt like I just couldn't catch my breath. I would flip to backstroke every so often to breathe it out, but then more than once I would splash water up my nose or in my mouth and cough/choke while the poor folks in canoes would wonder if they should jump in and save me (I told them I was OK - how embarrassing).<br />
<br />
My husband said he saw a couple of guys in the first group swim to shore before the first buoy and quit. and I saw another guy that got way off course and actually came out of the water after me even though he looked strong and fit. But overall, I was towards the back of the swimmers - not the last out of the water, but damn close. I finally made it to the 2nd buoy and turned towards the boat ramp. That damn boat ramp never seemed to get closer. I would try to swim a strong front crawl for a bit and then side or back stroke a bit to catch my breath and re-sight only to look and think that ramp was just as far away. I was pretty much hating the swim. But I looked at my watch as I got out and was pleasantly surprised to see that I hadn't done that bad. Garmin says I swam 0.55 mi in 28:07. Map showed I didn't swim very straight on the last leg of the triangle.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM4sjNLT4yMaKVPop11p7P-QPo8cUqjaDzCBUcpRzq2nv4P6yIVdyzhlafnpF9thq8aLIVtOwfQkl8evHQuycGY2kvvwZUiavLaoz_pUmUW_djb7WY6ArsuR2gw99m6AT4hez_od2qVjkv/s1600/20140720_083742.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM4sjNLT4yMaKVPop11p7P-QPo8cUqjaDzCBUcpRzq2nv4P6yIVdyzhlafnpF9thq8aLIVtOwfQkl8evHQuycGY2kvvwZUiavLaoz_pUmUW_djb7WY6ArsuR2gw99m6AT4hez_od2qVjkv/s1600/20140720_083742.jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coming out of the water - not many behind me</td></tr>
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Didn't feel quite as bad as last year when I got out of the water though I was breathing hard and choked on some water I took from the station at the top of the ramp. I took my time this year to dry my feet and put on socks. Lesson learned! After 2:22 min in T1, I headed out on the bike. I felt relatively good compared to the same point last year, but was having a hard time pushing any speed. I tried to catch a couple ladies ahead of me, but without much luck (until one of them dropped her chain on a hill). I did catch a dude at the turn around - though he was like 64! We leapfrogged each other on some hills (him ahead on the downhill and me ahead on the uphill). We chatted a couple times (great job Mark!). <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwL2I8PbHH2GWLcKjHQ-ywgJJzt6zd5w4AdqjX-wfXmUneT5xgFf1QEaV2JbP0qvYWXh38QS8QejDAmrggDNY7iu1c5B2T1FuaKfsYGmHH7T8IgC8ap5Tn3UvfPFyOngFwHJM9gyC8oRxF/s1600/20140720_083958.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwL2I8PbHH2GWLcKjHQ-ywgJJzt6zd5w4AdqjX-wfXmUneT5xgFf1QEaV2JbP0qvYWXh38QS8QejDAmrggDNY7iu1c5B2T1FuaKfsYGmHH7T8IgC8ap5Tn3UvfPFyOngFwHJM9gyC8oRxF/s1600/20140720_083958.jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leaving transition</td></tr>
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I finally dropped him and tried to chase down a young'un ahead of me (17!). I finally caught her when she had to brake for a car that was about to block her left turn onto the outer road (I yelled for her to watch out as I thought it was going to hit her). But she caught back up to me shortly thereafter and we chatted until we were nearly back at the bike. She was trying to catch her mom (45 - thankfully not in my age group) which she did I saw later. She had run a half marathon on Thursday at cross country camp (what's a taper?) and blew past me on the run - dropping me like a bad habit.<br />
<br />
I forgot to hit the button as I came into transition so my bike time includes T2 and my watch screwed up somehow and didn't record my distance though it was the same as last year so about 15 or so miles for about 14.6 mph for 1:01:44. As I headed out on the run, I took my powerade with me from the bike. I had been burned by too little fluids in the past. It was kinda lukewarm, but still tasted ok. The cold water at the aid station was a lot better. I tried to run, but my legs were having none of that. I did way more walking that I should have and not even the fast walking I normally do with my husband. It was a trudge. I tried to run for little bits, but my legs were cramping up (mostly my calves). My knees hurt and it was starting to warm up. I realized about here that I didn't put on sunscreen this morning. Ooops! Such is life. At least I would be done soon.<br />
<br />
After the turn around (this year first run lap of lake was done counter clockwise and the 2nd lap was clockwise), I met Mark as I came back and he said he was going to try to pick up his pace and catch me. He looked hot and out of breath so I wasn't sure he could do it, but then again - I was walking an awful lot. He caught me just before mile 2 and we pushed each other to run a little more, but walked and talked some making me think about how much my legs hurt a little less. We got chicked by an older lady (59) and then passed a dude (60) that was walking. I think there might have been one or two others behind us, but it was hard to tell as some folks went out for extra laps after they finished so that they could get in more training. <br />
<br />
It was an ugly run, but once again - I finished. Run pace is a bit of a guess because the watch must have lost satellites and never got them back (shows no distance) and I forgot to hit the damn button again. Best I can tell, 13:33 min/mi for about 42 min. When I glanced at the official result sheet, they had 2:14 and some change for the whole event. This adds up about the same as my Garmin data. So looks like I finished about 4 min slower than last year and about 2 min slower than the year before. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPOLzjuvkL7y63OVb_6sZsJTPZdD0-_oqWGCKHN9RyePlh84Tjsvbd_GyOsLQD7BcZ1Hnoc1ylekNTgZsOh3oaVlVFpiHHjZEdb7IFUcSe6CH-BWl4ZLxIkjMDz4dEHIQO9iMdJ9ntuSDV/s1600/20140720_100316.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPOLzjuvkL7y63OVb_6sZsJTPZdD0-_oqWGCKHN9RyePlh84Tjsvbd_GyOsLQD7BcZ1Hnoc1ylekNTgZsOh3oaVlVFpiHHjZEdb7IFUcSe6CH-BWl4ZLxIkjMDz4dEHIQO9iMdJ9ntuSDV/s1600/20140720_100316.jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My daughter totally captured how I felt through most of this run - LOL! </td></tr>
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The good news? The lady that was in my age group came up to me as I finished (she wasn't all that far ahead of me) and told me she had come in 2nd in our group and that there hadn't been a 3rd so that I probably medaled! LMAO!! Sure enough - I checked with the race folks and they handed me a 30th anniversary Show Me State Games bronze medal! God bless small races with tiny age groups. My very first race medal! (I actually should have gotten one last year by the same default method, but had left thinking as far back as I was there wasn't any point to checking). <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP4nX1ppEnX5ons76aXFRCQ6TO0Fg7kdrabPjTbS4hzT98ObrTqKia5NKLVdKjW1qvAgftyLlk7yzAzVfKwBHIhPQwjNZiL_n19P6HNx9KCFrPt2UwSiIVbEalyd4aG8bRpdvWsZa687YP/s1600/20140720_103519.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP4nX1ppEnX5ons76aXFRCQ6TO0Fg7kdrabPjTbS4hzT98ObrTqKia5NKLVdKjW1qvAgftyLlk7yzAzVfKwBHIhPQwjNZiL_n19P6HNx9KCFrPt2UwSiIVbEalyd4aG8bRpdvWsZa687YP/s1600/20140720_103519.jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bronze Medalist - Even if close to last!</td></tr>
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So another triathlon in the books. I guess it is an accomplishment no matter what, but I feel like I let myself down by not specifically training for it. I'll definitely be feeling this one for a few days. Tentatively planning on another birthday weekend of trail running fun at Kicks in the Sticks (Susan and I looking to dominate another small age group though we are torn between the shorter and the longer routes). <br />
<br />
Also need to get the Luebbert Lunatics signed up for another year at the Epic Mud Run (though I think this year my son is going to bow out and man the cooler and lawn chair at the finish). That is Labor Day weekend. Hard to believe school starts in just another few weeks. Still a little vacation time to be had though. Next weekend we are heading to Bennett Springs State Park to do some fishing, hiking, floating, etc. Should be fun.TriMOEngrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06263218066341525194noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3660670497459217612.post-42582840470794824812014-07-16T15:17:00.002-05:002014-07-16T15:17:53.066-05:00Tri-ing to TrainIn hopes of not suffering too much during the Show Me State Games triathlon this coming weekend, I've been trying to get in a few key workouts. A few weekends ago, I did my first brick workout in probably close to a year. I rode my bike out to the interchange and back for a little over 11 miles and then just ran about 2 miles in my neighborhood. Slow, but sure. Better than nothing. Then I went over to Stephen's Lake after work in the week following and got my swim on. I forgot my watch so I just swam until I was totally sick of it - probably about 45 min and likely just under a mile.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEictqWRtmuxAHPIo-ipCwQIJHM8aDnyNzg_r_nfLAr7QxX4fdZtkbs_IMQNldriwyNg52UL3iiu889yfC7KgpLXhrHdOwRS57jbcu2gs5y3bTl6_du49kEaCzkdqF5jDrVdyxOIsTLKEY42/s1600/20140630_182846.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEictqWRtmuxAHPIo-ipCwQIJHM8aDnyNzg_r_nfLAr7QxX4fdZtkbs_IMQNldriwyNg52UL3iiu889yfC7KgpLXhrHdOwRS57jbcu2gs5y3bTl6_du49kEaCzkdqF5jDrVdyxOIsTLKEY42/s1600/20140630_182846.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stephens Lake swim area</td></tr>
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The weekend after the 4th of July holiday, we met friends down at the Osage River for an afternoon of fun. I decided to leave early and go by bike (almost 13 miles) and had thought about doing a short run, but really only did about 0.25 mile. Ugh. Not much of a brick.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwOzf2lYnJQhyLQKB18sxK9RGv8tV4PuOka-HfF9K-DT-zLKcIftMASCyesNAXqP0G38ttIyDHRT02Pu0Z4LJT8h0qV-ZnUkNq07qNqOEqmbbjL2ILePGM57tB42OeRRdGcf0D7gzxniiQ/s1600/20140705_131238.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwOzf2lYnJQhyLQKB18sxK9RGv8tV4PuOka-HfF9K-DT-zLKcIftMASCyesNAXqP0G38ttIyDHRT02Pu0Z4LJT8h0qV-ZnUkNq07qNqOEqmbbjL2ILePGM57tB42OeRRdGcf0D7gzxniiQ/s1600/20140705_131238.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of the Osage River from the end of my bike ride</td></tr>
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I've also been getting in some long, slow runs with Susan on her days off - one shorter one (on a day she wanted to bail, we went around her neighborhood for 3.75 miles) and a couple longer ones (Katy Trail 8.4 miles and MKT in Columbia for 6.4 miles). But I definitely haven't done enough of the shorter runs (and in the hot weather) that would be good for training for a sprint. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBoQ-vh4pUfWPuSBMNzM8ChZtmIDHJNYpTpYmg-y6KzDY2kiOBKDmkE8hUQJ-ucd5abD80_hvnDqUUf6rFD_kAdO2WluSdNBXI-RQhDmUl-BMwYO-gwvY0uo3644KtFRiBm-BGk9ddLtf_/s1600/20140703_095220.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBoQ-vh4pUfWPuSBMNzM8ChZtmIDHJNYpTpYmg-y6KzDY2kiOBKDmkE8hUQJ-ucd5abD80_hvnDqUUf6rFD_kAdO2WluSdNBXI-RQhDmUl-BMwYO-gwvY0uo3644KtFRiBm-BGk9ddLtf_/s1600/20140703_095220.jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Katy Trail bridge</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoXepgL2zRv-vbgoEsP0m0c4vNWQwl1xmvhY-9bfpbY2aiCI_aIaqvOxqYEoHe8y7K2lSrndvK0PB2eSkDGtp2cZE_OMGD6d60V65tQaRf6XpsiMiFoQpEeX_qiA6wj74QP63Ss2iZQ8ek/s1600/20140710_094322.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoXepgL2zRv-vbgoEsP0m0c4vNWQwl1xmvhY-9bfpbY2aiCI_aIaqvOxqYEoHe8y7K2lSrndvK0PB2eSkDGtp2cZE_OMGD6d60V65tQaRf6XpsiMiFoQpEeX_qiA6wj74QP63Ss2iZQ8ek/s1600/20140710_094322.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">MKT Trail Run Smiles</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAMDsX2f_42FSClOcHBOJkN08q5rbKuADQyGSbEuyEGC7mH4BbDSweHwrxWv4OxtraXNhDUZI65kaUNIE060XFo07ATKBZ2nN7HLO1-aealrzLmGTIcQbez9NKhLuzJqUpcKj5X-n0ov2g/s1600/20140710_112435.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAMDsX2f_42FSClOcHBOJkN08q5rbKuADQyGSbEuyEGC7mH4BbDSweHwrxWv4OxtraXNhDUZI65kaUNIE060XFo07ATKBZ2nN7HLO1-aealrzLmGTIcQbez9NKhLuzJqUpcKj5X-n0ov2g/s1600/20140710_112435.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After run drinks at Flat Branch</td></tr>
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This last Sunday morning, I was up at 1 AM to head out to try the Tour de Jeff City moonlight bike ride. I did it in 2011, but the following couple of years the date didn't fit with my schedule. I rode last time with my friend (surveyor) Ron, but I was pretty much on my own this time. I did it in a leisurely 2 hours (ish) last time including a pit stop. This year I rolled out with the first group of 50, was quickly toward the front of the group (WTF is up with that?), skipped the stop and finished in just over an hour (for 15 miles around town). Even rode up the big JCMG hill that I walked the last time. Not a bad workout!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHzKr2DfMcDyz-Uq_ri-kyTGS30XubKmwXp9sJgbuUF99iol9gt9TWmIGwsOkyK9Cv7BHCCCvThf98LJjZwQMtCOSMDBxMSu1hPDlGjMd7Nbz1WrnhcASl4Nt5NkeMVmRiaVwDpu0rrE9i/s1600/20140713_015339.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHzKr2DfMcDyz-Uq_ri-kyTGS30XubKmwXp9sJgbuUF99iol9gt9TWmIGwsOkyK9Cv7BHCCCvThf98LJjZwQMtCOSMDBxMSu1hPDlGjMd7Nbz1WrnhcASl4Nt5NkeMVmRiaVwDpu0rrE9i/s1600/20140713_015339.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big smile before the moonlight ride</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmqgPyBDrK-zypqPVxCQVWK9UxmSLDhxn-CyoZ_xHhDjx2Gt_zgYiqCcmTnZEImMCSIveIE3NOT2JrHeUj5G09HO80MIfU2YDu3rWKj5xl7JDqu5nO-Inmd_i8secHeZVcT6Ul4urZvYKZ/s1600/20140713_015814.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmqgPyBDrK-zypqPVxCQVWK9UxmSLDhxn-CyoZ_xHhDjx2Gt_zgYiqCcmTnZEImMCSIveIE3NOT2JrHeUj5G09HO80MIfU2YDu3rWKj5xl7JDqu5nO-Inmd_i8secHeZVcT6Ul4urZvYKZ/s1600/20140713_015814.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just before 2 A.M. roll out </td></tr>
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Last night, the weather was insanely nice (low 70's) so Walter, Pranavi and I rolled out for about 21 miles. A few big hills, but mostly flat or rollers - but glad to be done as none of us were really feeling it. So the big grin below is because we got it done (and because Walter just didn't see what was such a big deal about getting a post ride selfie).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEzABQv-20aNAGjpz-yjrOSM_ojuocd3KS6AK5P46AwSlFQCHiHuAvVxIGZ0tGhuALuxdgcIzdbGvgfWjllvsDkv9D39RwXn-qm5YYf-avOkrwSTQI_iSoNVO637LrJpUrd2jOjOiEickv/s1600/20140715_192041.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEzABQv-20aNAGjpz-yjrOSM_ojuocd3KS6AK5P46AwSlFQCHiHuAvVxIGZ0tGhuALuxdgcIzdbGvgfWjllvsDkv9D39RwXn-qm5YYf-avOkrwSTQI_iSoNVO637LrJpUrd2jOjOiEickv/s1600/20140715_192041.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Does the ride count without at least one pic like this?</td></tr>
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I'm not looking forward to the long swim this weekend (half-ish mile in Philips Lake), but the bike shouldn't be too bad and I figure I can always trudge my way through the two laps of the lake for the 3.1 mi run. Makes me wish I'd swam more. Story of my last couple of years! Guess I'll just try to gut it out and finish. Maybe it won't be so bad. Of course, we won't even talk about the 15 extra pounds I have to take with me this year. Ugh! <br />
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TriMOEngrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06263218066341525194noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3660670497459217612.post-71793473716338737812014-06-23T12:46:00.000-05:002014-06-25T18:59:59.782-05:00MMNW + More Motivation?<p dir="ltr">Well if having to report my MMNW as 173.4 isn't enough motivation for me to reign in my diet then I don't know what is.  Geez - I'm up over 10 pounds from this time last year.  WTF!  Late last year and earlier this year I was the most active (and the most consistently so) that I've ever been and the weight slowly crept on.  I know some of it is less than stellar diet habits that definitely rear their ugly head when I am under stress (life, work, etc).  But my only other guess is that I think I give myself a little extra slack in that department when I burn a lot of calories in workouts (or at least think I do).  So I suspect it was a little combination of those factors and some general laziness that contributed to it.  I'm still way healthier than I have been in the past, but I could stand at least a 10-20 pound weight loss without most people around me even noticing and 30 isn't really out of the realm of what the total loss should be.  Ugh!  Such a daunting task!</p>
<p dir="ltr">For me dieting (both the weight loss kind and the general healthy eating lifestyle kind) has always taken a certain amount of mental energy.  And in the last few months, I've just simply been a little short of that.  I know what to and what not to eat.  I know that if I plan out my meals on paper ahead of time I eat better more consistently.  I know that logging what I eat helps me control the urge to reach up in the cabinet for things that aren't so good for me.  I know that for solid weight loss like I am looking at that I am going to have to create a real calorie deficit (not just the imaginary one I have in my head).  I know that I drink too many calories (both alcoholic and non-alcoholic).  I know that I don't control portions as good as I should.  But for some reason, even though I've done so in the past (and been relatively successful at it), I can't seem to get myself motivated to put all this wonderful knowledge into action.</p>
<p dir="ltr">So what to do? Some days it is simply "do the best I can".  But I've relied on that too much lately and the scale shows that isn't really working.  Just needed to carve out the time and make a plan and then execute the plan. </p>
<p dir="ltr">In the meantime, Monday was not a "win". I sat in the car listening to a book on cd during my daughter's softball practice.  Should have gone for a run like last week.  Last night was slightly better.  Went to healthplex and lifted weights and walked a little.   Decided I would rather walk outside so we did our usual 2 miles at home. Then today I stopped by Stephens Lake on the way home and put in about a half mile. Annoyed that my garmin seemed to be shorting my distance in open water swim mode. Must leave my left arm underwater too long.</p>
<p dir="ltr">So onward I push towards not completely sucking at the show me games in July. <br></p>
TriMOEngrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06263218066341525194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3660670497459217612.post-60192409292840540202014-06-22T22:11:00.000-05:002014-06-22T22:11:04.398-05:00Popping In - Motivation?Today I read a <a href="http://www.rockstartri.com/2014/06/why-blog.html" target="_blank">nice post from fellow Blogger Joe of Rock Star Tri.</a> He discussed how often a blog is part of our own motivation. I agree and for me in the past it has been part of my accountability - I don't want to write down that I ate crap or gained weight or skipped a workout. I want to celebrate my "wins" - whether that be just getting out there and getting it done or stretching myself in a new distance or a new race. But often, as with many of us, life sometimes gets in the way. Blogging is just one of those things that falls by the wayside when things get crazy. The good news is that everything has been relatively positive for me - busy with work, busy with kids, busy with other family and friend obligations. The bad news is that sometimes those blessings are double edged swords - business is good, but lots of work means lots of hours to get it done; children active in sports that keep them healthy means chauffer hat on a lot to practices and games and meets and tournaments; and so it goes.<br />
<br />
My workout streak continued until March 28th (from Thanksgiving day). I had to get a lot of work done that day and then leave early to take my kids to the Missouri State Archery Tournament as both our elementary and middle school teams qualified based on previous tournament scores (proud mom!) It was down at the Lake of the Ozarks and by the time we got home, I just didn't have it in me to squeak out a workout. I'm ok with that. But I'm not OK with the fact that I really did struggle after breaking the streak to maintain my consistency in the months since.<br />
<br />
I did treat myself a bit by purchasing a brand new cross bike - a Specialized Tricross. I got it at the LBS (Red Wheel). It has a little bit of an odd gearing - a triple that kinda makes noise in the lower and upper gears. I even took it back to the store to see if something was broken! And while I was hoping to do some gravel grinding with it (maybe try to keep up with Kate, Luke, Bob, etc), my first several rides were on the road. But I got grumbles from my husband when I failed to take it out very often in the first months of ownership. So my first try off-pavement was a relatively easy Katy Trail ride to Hartsburg and back to JC and then on home (and past it a little for a solid 30 miles). This last weekend I met part of a goal from last year to ride a chunk of the Katy Trail - from JC to Hermann (and then back to Rhineland for 50 miles). My friend Pranavi kept me company and made the miles as enjoyable as could be.<br />
<br />
I still occasionally get out for what Susan and I call our "therapy runs" - where there may be more talking and walking than speedwork, but we come away with having offloaded the worries of our day or week. And we go with the idea that miles are miles and sometimes the nurturing of our souls and our friendship is more important than the pace. God bless her!<br />
<br />
Spring pretty much came and went without me so much as signing up for a race (since St. Pats). I was fighting a little bit of a hip issue and bailed on the Maxtrax Duathlon. Skipped the Cedar Cross (Sapling) because I went to watch my daughter at Little Olympics track meet (she ran the 400 and a relay). I bagged the Trizou sprint because I hadn't been the pool in ages. I'm sure there were some other 5Ks and the like that came and went without an entry from me. Motivation waned as I struggled to juggle it all. Lately I feel like there is a pinhole of light at the end of the tunnel with work, etc. Daughter is down to just one sport (softball), Scouts is on summer hiatus (except summer camp in a couple weeks) and a couple big trips are behind me.<br />
<br />
Oh, what trips you say? Yeah, I spent Mother's Day weekend taking my son to the National Archery Tournament in Louisville, KY. We took off after school on Thursday and drove to a dinner stop in IL (just east of St. Louis) and then on to a hotel in Indiana stopping a bit short of the final destination, but not driving too long in the dark. The next morning we drove the rest of the way, went to Megacavern and did Megaquest ropes course/mini zipline (geez, what a workout!), ate at Wendys and headed over to the tournament. My son didn't shoot his best round, but it was amazing to see all these young archers in one place. The next morning we toured the Louisville Slugger museum and headed back home. <br />
<br />
The other trip was a big birthday treat for my daughter's 10th birthday. She had never been on a plane so I booked us 2 tickets to Chicago (for after school was out as she wanted to get perfect attendance). It was a bit of a "Planes, Trains and Automobiles"-type trip, but overall my daughter was a total trooper and a fantastic travel buddy. We saw great art, went out on the ledge at the Willis (Sears) Tower, looked at all the cool things at the Field Museum, enjoyed a day with my sister at the Museum of Science and Industry (and some shopping on the Magnificent Mile), petted the sting rays and looked at all the fun aquatic animals at the Shedd Aquarium, did a 4.5 mile kayak of the Chicago River on an architectural tour (in a tandem kayak with my daughter doing every bit of her share of the paddling like a freaking rock star!), ate tons of amazing food and walked all over. Of course, daughter got to swim in the hotel pools and such (always funny how big of a deal that can be to kids!).<br />
<br />
So much going in life - building amazing memories, making a little coin and staying somewhat active. I've gone to the Healthplex here and there and done a little strength training, but not nearly as much as the weather got nicer. I walk somewhat regularly with my tall drink of water husband when time doesn't allow for much else. But he has been bugging me to do the Show Me State Games triathlon (in 4 weeks!) - and for the first time in a couple years I'm a little nervous about finishing. The swim really kicked my ass last year. A recent run in the heat of the evening during daughter's softball practice reminded me how bad you can feel when not heat acclimated. So I'm probably going to do it (I mean it is 30 min away and $25!), but I had better get in the freaking pool or lake!<br />
<br />
I've put on a handful of pounds and I need to spend some time soon focusing on diet in the coming months and try to peel it back off. All in good time. Maybe some accountability here on the blog will be just the motivation needed to get back with healthier habits and more consistency on the exercise front. If you want, stay on this journey with me. If not, I still appreciate the opportunity to share my journey with others who might someday look back at this post and realize it is ok to stumble and get back to it.<br />
<br />
Will post this for whoever might be out there with an interest. Be back soon with some great pictures and more adventures. Take care and God Bless!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
TriMOEngrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06263218066341525194noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3660670497459217612.post-64388930392309084112014-03-17T21:38:00.000-05:002014-03-17T21:38:41.963-05:00Luck of the Irish 5K, etc.3/14/14: Busy day at work and then a night out with friends to a local Lenten fish fry. I was also super sore after raising my weights on my workout the day before (plus adding the reverse lunges and step ups). But I took my overstuffed gut on a little 2 mile walk with the hubs. I only grimaced and whined a little.<br />
<br />
3/15/14: The 2014 Luck of the Irish 5K was held on Saturday morning in downtown Jefferson City. Once again, I ran it with my daughter. I warned her that I might be holding her back due to my sore muscles. But I managed a decent enough jog/walk. I was pleasantly surprised as I was mildly uncomfortable, but never miserable. It was pretty cool at the start so I went ahead with a jacket, but (as expected) wished I didn't have it on later. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggbLzV6Mlt0wd-VqTfHcIjibYItJ9D6CYvEblduu3Yk1K4w-52-iFmvSvD1gqIiwoJUrCHuPK-pLnw5Ijfc_ZhDJo6F2JHbQ2B0YyxliADNeUy7DN7iSRPER5pArpu8rJACpTcqk13r5hJ/s1600/20140315_085420_resized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggbLzV6Mlt0wd-VqTfHcIjibYItJ9D6CYvEblduu3Yk1K4w-52-iFmvSvD1gqIiwoJUrCHuPK-pLnw5Ijfc_ZhDJo6F2JHbQ2B0YyxliADNeUy7DN7iSRPER5pArpu8rJACpTcqk13r5hJ/s1600/20140315_085420_resized.jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pre-Race Pic!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAZIsjFENqAkn3mvz1l-5SD0KdZs_9jA6pjDQppWIPIrKB7-5rM0UISfhft5FRvLIek8cenhXHf2dMvpB79yXWjsX9k1vE4fxo4f3dfh9jPPr5zIQwzeoRWlFYMYARyRFiFti6up_h9Rv-/s1600/20140315_090109_resized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAZIsjFENqAkn3mvz1l-5SD0KdZs_9jA6pjDQppWIPIrKB7-5rM0UISfhft5FRvLIek8cenhXHf2dMvpB79yXWjsX9k1vE4fxo4f3dfh9jPPr5zIQwzeoRWlFYMYARyRFiFti6up_h9Rv-/s1600/20140315_090109_resized.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We lined up kind of far back and I think they only had the timing chip sensor<br />
at the end so you had clock time running while you waited to get to the front - grrr.</td></tr>
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<br />
<br />
She has really improved each year. In 2012, she ran it in 40:04 (almost age 8). In 2013, she ran it in 36:47 (almost age 9). This year, she PR'd the race in 35:38 (almost age 10). And as usual, I came in shortly behind her in 35:51. She was disappointed with coming in 8th in the 10 and under females. Those are some speedy little girls! The 40-49 women were equally swift - I managed 23rd in my age group. But no one is ever surprised that I didn't medal. LOL I did pace off my friend Susan's dad who was 3rd in his age group (70+ males). There were no women in that age group so I just have to hang on 30 more years!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq-rtCByTWdUXpWVCZidFHfGs2dXATlafmByzRp4JXscXn-6fzPCzVdplJTsD4aY5COjLryfOrT6W3jWMuWE_4xMwQmqI9nx6rymAoepK0RR5g1hEk5voleXuy62aJdtO3lLU3HlChV6JC/s1600/1921915_10203308441542819_1425579442_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq-rtCByTWdUXpWVCZidFHfGs2dXATlafmByzRp4JXscXn-6fzPCzVdplJTsD4aY5COjLryfOrT6W3jWMuWE_4xMwQmqI9nx6rymAoepK0RR5g1hEk5voleXuy62aJdtO3lLU3HlChV6JC/s1600/1921915_10203308441542819_1425579442_n.jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A little red faced after her finish, but giving me a "strong" pose!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghIlucxt7jP4DAAw-Wqliia-FiC5LbKgfXegeve2oUrnzNgSqx9-xLaymDV_mnNP6iyBaYPNpjBGFv_GLBlr1g8M4BsJBdgw5CIfU1jFnVz9Vsy1eC3uuwlmEa8k1yAbxCqrKRkNKhL68t/s1600/1920039_10203308441862827_1078706455_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghIlucxt7jP4DAAw-Wqliia-FiC5LbKgfXegeve2oUrnzNgSqx9-xLaymDV_mnNP6iyBaYPNpjBGFv_GLBlr1g8M4BsJBdgw5CIfU1jFnVz9Vsy1eC3uuwlmEa8k1yAbxCqrKRkNKhL68t/s1600/1920039_10203308441862827_1078706455_n.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and my girl after cooling off a bit - lovely sunshiney day!</td></tr>
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It was so nice out in the afternoon that I went ahead with my husband on his 2 mile evening walk too.</div>
<br />
3/16/14: Decided I had better get on the bike for once. But I had a full afternoon of running kids to practices (softall and archery). I was less than motivated. So I just jumped on the trainer for 40 min. Not sure if I just wasn't pushing it enough or if the changing of the trainer flat has some resistance stuff out of whack, but I was struggling to get the 11+ mph for a lowly 7.2 miles.<br />
<br />
3/17/14: Headed to work in Columbia today. Finally got a site plan for a parking lot expansion submitted to the City. Then met a few of my women engineer friends for lunch. St. Pat's corned beef and cabbage at Flat Branch! Yummy!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinU-NxRMAP_YZag7ZwkmwxQVhtwkKv13UW-9r8sr-nyr3l-UUZquhAlWxBB2XJ30YaOM7qxsjS3Rb-GQgaI-14b4yYOy-jkUjTfr2M4GNyuBSaxUbhlM0G5N76zQRZKxtJ92YpeB5SISdR/s1600/1962791_10203321628392482_1536251989_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinU-NxRMAP_YZag7ZwkmwxQVhtwkKv13UW-9r8sr-nyr3l-UUZquhAlWxBB2XJ30YaOM7qxsjS3Rb-GQgaI-14b4yYOy-jkUjTfr2M4GNyuBSaxUbhlM0G5N76zQRZKxtJ92YpeB5SISdR/s1600/1962791_10203321628392482_1536251989_n.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Love these girls!</td></tr>
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Then I was off to buy new running shoes. YAY! I hadn't gotten new ones since October and I was overdue. I picked up a pair of Asics 3000s AND another pair of Brooks Adrenalines. Since the temps were still in the 40's after I dropped daughter off at volleyball and finished my grocery shopping, I decided to test out my new Asics shoes and donned a green running shirt (didn't want to get pinched on my run) for 2 quick-(ish) miles. Oh and I played with a photo grid app. <br />
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<br />
Swim = 2.47 mi (can't seem to get motivated to get in the pool!)<br />
Bike = 273.1
mi<br />
Run/Walk = 114.55 mi <br />
Strength workouts = 19 TriMOEngrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06263218066341525194noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3660670497459217612.post-33200766722573101722014-03-13T16:48:00.001-05:002014-03-13T16:48:32.489-05:00Wrapping up Feb/Starting MarchRunning a little behind on logging my workouts. For the most part the streak is alive. Shouldn't I at least get a pass once in a while? Glad we are getting more frequent decent weather days and more evening daylight, but still struggling to adjust to getting up in the dark again. Ugh. Here goes with my update:<br />
<br />
2/22/14: My daughter had a birthday party a local indoor sports center that happens to be next to the City Greenway. What better excuse (along with the fact that it was relatively warm and not precipitating) to take my bike along and ride the nice wide concrete path out to Dunklin (ran into bike friend Prenavi along the way and chatted for a min) then out to County Park (or a little further) and then back to Dunklin and back to JCMG and back just as the party was wrapping up for 21.4 miles. Not too much speed between the clunky mountain bike and handfull of hills, but a solid workout regardless. Overdressed in my gray bike jacket for sure.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN1rTZind2W17gHcMMAHIE2oXgFsVTGvfxSbBeTzoYdAPdMnF_TZP2TpqmvQMCfqSA5GLO1aGoT1oc9SJapMvWJWKEHqco9IQbeLxAs2Im1zJ_FBtaMPvLx-qxTxP79ca8lzK7paau21ln/s1600/1901641_10203153375186257_282852193_n+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN1rTZind2W17gHcMMAHIE2oXgFsVTGvfxSbBeTzoYdAPdMnF_TZP2TpqmvQMCfqSA5GLO1aGoT1oc9SJapMvWJWKEHqco9IQbeLxAs2Im1zJ_FBtaMPvLx-qxTxP79ca8lzK7paau21ln/s1600/1901641_10203153375186257_282852193_n+(2).jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Quick selfie at County Park Lake</td></tr>
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2/23/14: Was pretty worn out from the long bike ride so I just took my usual 2 mile walk with the hubs.<br />
<br />
2/24/14: Jumped on the trainer after the hubs aired up the tire, but for some reason even after pedaling my ass off for over 50 minutes, the sensor only thought I had gone 6.6 miles. Not sure what the deal was, but I found it annoying.<br />
<br />
2/25/14: I'd like to say that my workout streak remained intact, but I think this was one of those days where I might be stretching it a bit. The good news was that it was a more active day than normal. Very little sitting on my ass. I had hoped to squeeze in a trip to the pool, but I got hung up doing a bunch of field work (surveying - on my feet walking around a proposed job site picking up topo info - not major heart rate work, but generally active). Then I took a plant tour with my Society of Women Engineers ladies walking all over this factory for a couple hours (again - not really heart rate raising, but on my feet). Everyone was in bed when I got home and I didn't want to jack with the trainer tire issue and it was super slick as I came home (almost wrecking as I pulled onto my street) so no outside walk. <br />
<br />
2/26/14: 2 mile walk with the hubs<br />
<br />
2/27/14: Weather was kinda crappy so Susan hit her treadmill at home and I went to the healthplex with the hubs after he got off work taking kids to archery practice just a tad late. Usual weights and 2 miles on the treadmill.<br />
<br />
2/28/14: 2 mile walk with the hubs<br />
<br />
3/1/14: Hubs was busy with the boy in the morning putting out Scouting for Food hangtags. But he got home just in time for us to head to the healthplex. He didn't realize they closed so early, but still managed to squeak out my weights workout and my 2 miles (literally the last one out after finishing the final 0.05 mile).<br />
<br />
3/2/14: 2 mile walk with the hubs<br />
<br />
3/3/14: Even though the snow/ice wasn't as bad as had been predicted, school was cancelled and I slacked off at home with the kiddos all day. But when the hubs got home from work, we all headed out for some time at the healthplex. Weights plus 3 miles of treadmill intervals.<br />
<br />
3/4/14: 2 mile walk with the hubs<br />
<br />
3/5/14: Hit the healthplex with the hubs for another weights workout and a couple treadmill miles.<br />
<br />
3/6/14: Susan wasn't worried about the snow/ice melt from earlier in the week. She was ready for a break from the concrete. So we hit the Katy Trail. It took a while for my legs to warm up, but then I kind of found my groove. We got to the Hwy 63 overpass and I figured it was time to turn around, but she was bound and determined to do our "long route" - out to the Lewis and Clark overlook. I wasn't feeling it, but I hung in there. 8.4 miles round trip. Ugh!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij-nrsdKRaB5rXrsiY-inbT7d5Hi2VEN0j9zeB59K70c5siKARI2AJ1jmeNmQivdOZ4D4FTfSQ-p1T0YXB9909a4N9yQjkxxc-OvnQLJ4Renrn2FHSvw5qo2iS6wyBk7g_GUiGFrvoouxe/s1600/1975008_10203250758140770_1600954936_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij-nrsdKRaB5rXrsiY-inbT7d5Hi2VEN0j9zeB59K70c5siKARI2AJ1jmeNmQivdOZ4D4FTfSQ-p1T0YXB9909a4N9yQjkxxc-OvnQLJ4Renrn2FHSvw5qo2iS6wyBk7g_GUiGFrvoouxe/s1600/1975008_10203250758140770_1600954936_n.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Katy Trail bridge over Cedar Creek (notice ice on the creek still)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLXDqQNFJXcx2cTLnTxO8-Y7ntD-Xx2ECpdEu4SbbdB4h1yd0ebXAqMrq8sfS3vv-ao5StxRkwQQt_sjiHvaS5e0avZha9IaQ5ddcO6uZkih0XDRBQqsHJ5iftJaooe9AyoWNPlywSF3p2/s1600/1662533_10203250758500779_1938282367_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLXDqQNFJXcx2cTLnTxO8-Y7ntD-Xx2ECpdEu4SbbdB4h1yd0ebXAqMrq8sfS3vv-ao5StxRkwQQt_sjiHvaS5e0avZha9IaQ5ddcO6uZkih0XDRBQqsHJ5iftJaooe9AyoWNPlywSF3p2/s1600/1662533_10203250758500779_1938282367_n.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We never get tired of photographic proof we made it to the Missouri River overlook</td></tr>
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3/7/14: Pretty nice evening. Hubs got off work early so we had time for a little snuggle before the kids got home from school and then time for a walk (2 miles) with the boy before heading out to the first Lenten fish fry of the season.<br />
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3/8/14: While the boy headed off to collect for "Scouting for Food", the hubs and I went to the healthplex both agreeing that we weren't all that crazy about being there, but hoping we'd get into it as we went along. Warmed up with 1/2 mile on "track" and then did weights followed by another 1.5 miles on the treadmill.<br />
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3/9/14: Daylight savings and a warm front made for good day to get out on my bike after the kids shot at the archery tournament. I had kind of preferred the idea of taking a nap, but I knew I'd regret not taking advantage of the sunshine. I got on the old mountain bike because the road bike was on the trainer and the road have so much gravel and grit on them. Never mind I also have a flat on the road bike - ugh. It was a slow going ride (as usual on that bike). Just 11.3 miles in an hour with only climbing three hills. But I got it done!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUq77ad-b1EH5-AhbJu-7hSOXiNKC6N03-bYkMSAVoTE8kRbpJxMnKIlrCMzgZAaF5HzJ13GmAqYWB8ArMIlQ9LecDH75tK31g0nDgSExHct8Psu-ZdqFDuH02jeJg3pKOHa36dEP2vygJ/s1600/1920224_10203272829452539_1046710027_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUq77ad-b1EH5-AhbJu-7hSOXiNKC6N03-bYkMSAVoTE8kRbpJxMnKIlrCMzgZAaF5HzJ13GmAqYWB8ArMIlQ9LecDH75tK31g0nDgSExHct8Psu-ZdqFDuH02jeJg3pKOHa36dEP2vygJ/s1600/1920224_10203272829452539_1046710027_n.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Moreau River just before it meets Missouri River - lots of sunshine!</td></tr>
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3/10/14: 3.3 miles on a late evening run (70 degrees!) with Stacy!<br />
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3/11/14: Reassessment at the healthplex - I've lost an inch and a few pounds since the day after Christmas (when let's face it, I was probably the heaviest I'd be). I'm really just holding my own weight wise, but I have gotten stronger so I guess that is good. I had been doing some exercises with too low of a weight so I up'd those the next workout. But since I only did 3 machines for the assessment and my daughter whined to leave afterwards, I'm not calling this a strength workout. I did 0.6 mi at the healthplex and then came home and ran in the warm rain (dodging some lightening) near the house for another 1.4 so I could call it "2 miles".<br />
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3/12/14: Body has been feeling a little beat up so I just walked my 2 miles with the hubs after he helped me change the tube on my trainer tire that kept going flat. Never did find the damn hole.<br />
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3/13/14: Busy day, but due to needing to coordinate a cross-state Girl Scout cookie delivery, I headed to the healthplex to drop off said cookies with Team Virtus star Luke to take them to TOG team star David. While there I knocked out my heavier weight workout and a couple easy treadmill miles.<br />
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Staying relatively fit and active. Still kind of on the fence on which races I'm going to do this year. My husband says I "have" to do the duathlon again since it has kind of become a "traditional season opener". That is the first weekend of April. After that, I might do Trizou, but am toying with doing the Cedar Sapling (36 miles of gravel during Cedar Cross). I pretty much suck at gravel riding, but I would get to hang out with super cool people. I could also just volunteer and then do Trizou the next morning like I did last year. Haven't decided, but I can get a deal on the Trizou registration if I combine it with the duathlon so I need to choose soon. Will probably also do Show Me State Games sprint tri again (again kind of a "tradition"). Sis was trying to get me to come to WI again for Pewaukee, but I don't think it is going to work out. I haven't really set any BHAGs for this year. Still toying with trying an Oly, but if I can't get my ass in gear on swim training, there is no point to that. Husband doesn't think it is a good idea after I struggled so much finishing the half mile swim at SMSG last year. We'll see. Maybe this just isn't my year for a BHAG.<br />
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Swim = 2.47 mi (can't seem to get motivated to get in the pool!)<br />
Bike =265.9 mi<br />
Run/Walk = 105.45 mi <br />
Strength workouts =
19TriMOEngrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06263218066341525194noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3660670497459217612.post-38522388389258149942014-02-22T11:38:00.000-06:002014-02-22T11:38:56.165-06:002 Miler Week You'd almost think I couldn't seem to go further than 2 miles when you see how many 2 mile workouts I got in this week. Between my brisk walks with my husband or 2 treadmill miles with my weights workouts - seems to be a common distance for me. But it all adds up. <br />
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2/14/14: Had wanted to go out for a romantic evening, but at the end of the day we decided to go to the healthplex and bring the kids along for a family night out. Weights + 2 treadmill miles + Culvers Oreo Concrete - how romantic!<br />
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2/15/14: 2 mile cold walk with husband<br />
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2/16/14: Off to the healthplex with my husband - god bless him for getting my butt out the door to do weights and 2 treadmill miles.<br />
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2/17/14: Had planned to go to the pool, but worked my way through time to go home and didn't get it done. Feeling like I should give up on triathlon. Ugh! 2 mile walk to keep the streak alive.<br />
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2/18/14: Back to the healthplex for weights and 2 treadmill miles. Such a shame when the weather finally turned warmer, but always nice to spend some time with my husband. <br />
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2/19/14: I think my bike was feeling neglected so I jumped on the trainer for 13.5 miles.<br />
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2/20/14: Almost muggy morning run (4 miles) with Susan as a warm front moved through and we had a windy time out on the greenway. After work, my husband and I went to the healthplex and I got in my time with the weight machines, did abs on the exercise ball and even squeezed in another 1.5 miles on the track/treadmill. Go me!<br />
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2/21/14: Warm weather prevailed and after a busy day of work and a quick dinner out with my family I went on a nice breezy walk with my husband for an easy 2 miles.<br />
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Swim = 2.47 mi<br /> Bike =240.1 mi<br /> Run/Walk =84.25 mi<br /> Strength workouts = 17TriMOEngrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06263218066341525194noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3660670497459217612.post-49662714489246565432014-02-13T16:40:00.001-06:002014-02-13T16:40:13.059-06:00Keeping the Streak Alive!I told my sister the other day that maybe my big goal this year is to keep my workout streak alive for a whole year - until Thanksgiving 2014! I'm not sure about that though in general I've been feeling a little wishy washy about developing my BHAG and race schedule. But I enjoy tracking all of it and feel pretty good about some of the mileage I've racked up.<br />
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Wednesday 2/5/14: Weights and 2 miles on dreadmill at Healthplex after two long snow days at home with kids<br />
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Thursday 2/6/14: 2 mile hike through the snow with my husband<br />
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Friday 2/7/14: fun family Friday night at the Healthplex = 2 miles plus weights<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and my girl strengthening our core</td></tr>
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Saturday 2/8/14: Walked 2 cold brisk miles in between basketball tournament games so we could go out afterwards to celebrate sis-in-law's 40th birthday<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My girl playing her heart out</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hubs and sister celebrating at Paddy's</td></tr>
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Sunday 2/9/14: Up early for basketball tournament game; off to scout mass at 11:30; catch breath in time to go to archery tournament (where both kids shot PRs - daughter got 2nd in 4th grade girls!); slip slide to McDs for celebratory cokes before cranking out 21 miles on the bike trainer. BAM! Felt pretty good to rack up so many miles in just 8 days (62+10+21=93!)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sparx Basketball girls</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNo1v3xIVuXcpn4IwkjlFXYAwv3jBhMMrPx0frlzYp2MHWQk3KMKNH3V-D2xEHbX8cmcnKjKblRYaD0fidWi4CgavUF9A-cmrclgBjV0N6IIMSqlxmaULyh6FTF3dPQbHXOkpzG15Pjp-v/s1600/20140209_140022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNo1v3xIVuXcpn4IwkjlFXYAwv3jBhMMrPx0frlzYp2MHWQk3KMKNH3V-D2xEHbX8cmcnKjKblRYaD0fidWi4CgavUF9A-cmrclgBjV0N6IIMSqlxmaULyh6FTF3dPQbHXOkpzG15Pjp-v/s1600/20140209_140022.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Daughter in the midst of shooting 240/300 - her best score ever!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Son also shooting a strong score</td></tr>
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Monday 2/10/14: 2 miles on treadmill plus weights at the Healthplex<br />
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Tuesday 2/11/14: 2 mile cold walk with my husband; still a fair bit of snow on the sidewalks and streets, but we managed to get it done.<br />
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Wednesday 2/12/14: 10 bike trainer miles just before bed after crazy long, busy day - boy was this a day I really didn't want to get a workout in. But the workout streak lives and I had the 30 minutes before I went to bed. Really no excuse not to get it done.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some good speed on a night that I didn't even feel like getting on for more than half hour</td></tr>
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Thursday 2/13/14: 5 mile run with Susan after sorting boxes of Girl Scout cookies for delivery;<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS5TXd_8fuKXlUWQDj_iFhj58zZYv-Gcuvz_Jj9FkpwDOuhJMCe6o4pTwuh1T4lSQ-8n-fM6weGpz-dAuNSyQ0Vd_vznAoBRS4A4W7NPEds8OmOAY3zQKsIArDymzr50MmGnPFRZqguNHc/s1600/20140213_085612.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS5TXd_8fuKXlUWQDj_iFhj58zZYv-Gcuvz_Jj9FkpwDOuhJMCe6o4pTwuh1T4lSQ-8n-fM6weGpz-dAuNSyQ0Vd_vznAoBRS4A4W7NPEds8OmOAY3zQKsIArDymzr50MmGnPFRZqguNHc/s1600/20140213_085612.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lots of cookies to deliver!</td></tr>
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We got interrupted with a minor kid emergency, but she came back and we got it done - and with enough time to run out to Walmart for some easy valentines for my 7th grade boy who thinks the holiday is just short of stupid.<br />
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Swim = 2.47 mi<br /> Bike =226.6 mi<br /> Run/Walk = 66.75 mi<br /> Strength workouts = 13<br /><br />
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TriMOEngrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06263218066341525194noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3660670497459217612.post-41063257826485474762014-02-04T22:13:00.002-06:002014-02-04T22:13:22.456-06:00Keeping On + SuperCentury 2014Sunday 1/26/14: My friend Samantha texted me Saturday and asked if I would be interested in a training run with her. She is training for an April half (while her husband is trying to BQ at the same race with the full). She said 11-11.5 min/mi for 4 miles. I thought I could probably do that, but it would be at the edge of my abilities. I suggested an out and back in my neighborhood (where there is sidewalk for about half of it and only one big hill). We went out kinda fast for my taste with the first mile in the 10's, the next in the 11's, but then we turned around - INTO the wind. Ouch. Tough to keep the pace so we walked as necessary and dropped to the more par for my course 12's with the final mile dropping even further with the big ass hill mixed with the wind. Ouch. I really felt this one. And I didn't really enjoy it.<br />
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Monday 1/27/14: Took a cold walk around the neighborhood while the boys were at Scouts. = 2 miles. My nose came back numb. Not cool!<br />
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Tuesday 1/28/14: Went to the gym while daughter was at basketball practice down the street. I knocked out a strength workout and appreciated the warmth of 2.5 miles on the treadmill. <br />
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Wednesday 1/29/14: My brother-in-law was only in town for a few days before heading back to Virginia to be deployed for the rest of the year (and maybe into 2015) on the George H.W. Bush aircraft carrier. After a full day of work, we cleaned house and then went to dinner with him. After a nice evening of visiting, he finally left to go back to his dad's at 10:20. I talked my husband into a quick 2 mi COLD walk to keep my streak alive. God bless him!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdwyQmfvKiJWw3ix7fcHBrFHANVrQRBsksuBJy3524F7-pTBzQ1iejqSr2TY6rDPPs7-OFWZKE4V3ViPY5EzEbLz84wzmvEXs7t8l6Lrc_ubSaP_nRBbiETnOOQniCq05anJyiU4kptIdD/s1600/20140129_171006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdwyQmfvKiJWw3ix7fcHBrFHANVrQRBsksuBJy3524F7-pTBzQ1iejqSr2TY6rDPPs7-OFWZKE4V3ViPY5EzEbLz84wzmvEXs7t8l6Lrc_ubSaP_nRBbiETnOOQniCq05anJyiU4kptIdD/s1600/20140129_171006.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bro-in-law with his goddaughter/niece (my daughter) and his Christmas/bday gift to her<br />
And yes, he totally looks like my husband (except younger)</td></tr>
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Thursday 1/30/14: Susan had a rough night at the hospital (on call pediatrician) and begged off of a morning run, but we saw each other at the Parent Lunch (for Catholic Schools Week) and agreed to try to hook up after she did her grocery shopping and before pickup. I sat listening to the wind howl as I indulged in a bit of a novel before she texted me to confirm. I thought about bailing, but the temps had inched up to about 40 degrees so I decided to suck it up. We met at SaveALot and parked the cars heading out 2 miles down McCarty Street and then back. I actually felt pretty good on the run and was pleased to knock out 4 miles with time to spare and read my Runners World magazine while waiting to pick up the kids. Funny how a run the same distance and even with a couple big hills could be so much better.<br />
<br />
Friday 1/31/14: Long day of work (driving to/from KC area to meet with two clients and weather turning to crap throughout the day). Got home in time to go for a brisk COLD walk with husband for 2 more miles. But undid most of it with the crappy Burger King lunch and pizza night with the family. Really need to figure out how to control my eating!<br />
<br />
Saturday 2/1/14: Not sure if I can really "count" this as a workout - but I am going to so I can say my streak continues. I went out with my husband to see a local band that we like and I danced the night away. Never mind the handful of margaritas that I also consumed. I know I was sweaty so I'm counting it as a workout!<br />
<br />
Sunday 2/2/14: Ok, I'll just admit it. I am a total wannabe when it comes to being a fan of Team Virtus. I love that a couple of their team members are local to me and are just so stinking nice as well as super badass. So when they suggest crazy things like knocking out a metric century on Super Bowl Sunday and calling it a "SuperCentury", I'm crazy enough to take that challenge and give it my best shot. It's kinda "fun" to tweet and FB back and forth when we are all sharing in the sufferfest. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhDz7E9w8Eu4TVcFfuOLa4AI1c_MpP8LylcaddxaEMcKj3iXD-_EtfJLC8FF9jyCj39WC7BnJWJsdIDgD1TrHGY3ShqXUXQi2rByLgLNo1LWycVprVKtf73QAmFHJJ9u1djmq00oQN9fqa/s1600/20140202_082633.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhDz7E9w8Eu4TVcFfuOLa4AI1c_MpP8LylcaddxaEMcKj3iXD-_EtfJLC8FF9jyCj39WC7BnJWJsdIDgD1TrHGY3ShqXUXQi2rByLgLNo1LWycVprVKtf73QAmFHJJ9u1djmq00oQN9fqa/s1600/20140202_082633.jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kind of a bad hair morning. Definitely regretted a couple margaritas the night before.</td></tr>
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We talk about what we are watching and the breaks we have to take to regain bloodflow to our taints. It feels pretty "epic" and I mean that in the way that "epic" usually involves not really having "fun" during, but having a great story to tell after. In the past, I've tried to push myself a little when they've done these crazy stunts. But I usually can't quite keep up. I dug deep and almost 4.5 hours later (and with as few breaks as I could allow), I got 62 miles in. My knees were sore, my legs were sore, my butt was sore. But I felt pretty badass just knowing I'd stuck it out and accepted the challenge and done. Still, I FB'd a bit of a "Screw You" to my Team Virtus friends (thanking them at the same time). <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRyIRB1EW8AvQ97uUmV3Co9SO4MKq_CrL4rUKrEG1iHoD9j4XA7AQru4_eGv7hCYBMeg6ar95mxynq_YGMINewG7uuLXJ_y3MsqzCfKocyRjXzxZO-N2y5nlQqdyJ-XIiLgm6T-N0Zt5yH/s1600/20140202_133333.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRyIRB1EW8AvQ97uUmV3Co9SO4MKq_CrL4rUKrEG1iHoD9j4XA7AQru4_eGv7hCYBMeg6ar95mxynq_YGMINewG7uuLXJ_y3MsqzCfKocyRjXzxZO-N2y5nlQqdyJ-XIiLgm6T-N0Zt5yH/s1600/20140202_133333.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nothing special about my cadence, but pretty pleased with my speed (which actually increased as I went)</td></tr>
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Monday 2/3/14: Another basketball practice, another strength workout at the Healthplex and a couple miles on their treadmills before picking her up.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Luke tweeted "Pics or didn't happen", but I was too late to include his teammate Adam<br />
Here is me on the leg curl machine with the cardio area in the background</td></tr>
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Tuesday 2/4/14: Snow day - home with the kids watching the world turn white. No going to the healthplex. No going outside. Spent the better part of the day snuggled in bed reading. Jumped on the trainer and felt pretty awesome when I knocked out a pretty fast 20 miles. Still need to work on up'ing my cadence while still keeping my speed. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZzDImYr5mPeFTrpeO1gsrhPmnpRr2CA9Zj96PvU4tTHKtpDtylS9V_2MXFwIq7fWw65cUS1MLY8iiDvbaT6O-u6HImd6xpOWZFHmAzqmX0RrEe7WW6n1UOQ4lXKz92TOCnkhab07oJKIZ/s1600/20140204_191317.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZzDImYr5mPeFTrpeO1gsrhPmnpRr2CA9Zj96PvU4tTHKtpDtylS9V_2MXFwIq7fWw65cUS1MLY8iiDvbaT6O-u6HImd6xpOWZFHmAzqmX0RrEe7WW6n1UOQ4lXKz92TOCnkhab07oJKIZ/s1600/20140204_191317.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pain Cave = Garage (bonus that cool garage means no need for a fan)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik4LiByt818T6at-XFtRbq9yPFYnSZMFUI8RxDOJxIdERjdrfUl_cfNidTNS822Ox7ce0Zmx_WA8tdz3K1yaQmGPwpa3CzzdLeeslM3lH4DqWM0-Kh1nsa8TPU3DFIoWBS4JlB8GlIJMh0/s1600/20140204_192516.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik4LiByt818T6at-XFtRbq9yPFYnSZMFUI8RxDOJxIdERjdrfUl_cfNidTNS822Ox7ce0Zmx_WA8tdz3K1yaQmGPwpa3CzzdLeeslM3lH4DqWM0-Kh1nsa8TPU3DFIoWBS4JlB8GlIJMh0/s1600/20140204_192516.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Better speed than Sunday, but still struggling with my cadence.</td></tr>
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<span id="goog_110826610"></span><span id="goog_110826611"></span><br />
Swim = 2.47 mi<br />
Bike =195.6 mi<br />
Run = 49.75 mi<br />
Strength workouts = 10<br />
Danced butt off to fun band = 1<br />
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TriMOEngrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06263218066341525194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3660670497459217612.post-37762224013796312342014-01-25T21:28:00.000-06:002014-01-25T21:28:14.237-06:00I could be an IM!If they gave me 25 days to do the distance, I could totally be an Ironman! LOL With even a little to spare. Thanks to Jamie and Michele for leading the way with the January 140.6 challenge. Even with school carnival/chili supper, archery tournament, and the unending pile of laundry that I faced today, I knocked out the final 10.6 miles of my iron journey for this month. Here are my current totals:<br />
<br />
Swim = 2.47 mi<br />
Bike =113.6 mi<br />
Run = 31.25 mi<br />
Strength workouts = 8<br />
<br />
A friend texted me this morning and was looking for a run partner for tomorrow so the plan is for about 4 miles. She was discussing a pace that is on the edge of my abilities so I told her I would do my best to keep up with her. I suggested my neighborhood (relatively flat) to have some hope of hanging in.<br />
<br />
Now off to shower and curl up with my new Runner's World magazines! Yay!TriMOEngrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06263218066341525194noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3660670497459217612.post-19142311721487234622014-01-23T16:41:00.000-06:002014-01-23T16:41:18.175-06:00Iron January - Continuing the STREAKMy workout streak is staying alive. And I continue to press towards finishing the 140.6 January Challenge. If all goes well, I should wrap up the bike mileage this weekend between the kids' archery tournament, school chili supper and school carnival. I think may have also agreed to have another teenage boy in my home Saturday night. Oh well - probably won't see much of him and my son once they turn on the PS3.<br />
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1/20/14 - MMNW was still up 167.2. I can't seem to be back into the lower 160's range that I was so solidly in this time last year. Turning 40? Or just lazy eating? Brisk 2 mile walk with husband to wrap up the required "run" mileage. <br />
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1/21/14 - Went to the healthplex with the whole family. Technically my daughter can't use the facility for 2 more months (when she turns 10), but they allow her to walk the track with us. So she and I knocked out two quick miles (practicing her state capitol information for the Midwest states - talk about multitasking!). Then she walked some more with her dad and brother while I did my weights. It is great to be role models to our kids about living a healthy lifestyle. Wish I did a better job modeling healthy eating!<br />
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1/22/14 - Spent the morning dealing with mother-in-law stuff. Went to lunch with my husband and it seemed like no time went by before it was time to pick kids up from school. Not sure where the day went. Took daughter to scouts and then came home to jump on the trainer. Thanks to a sweet husband that went to pick her up, I got in 15 miles! Yay!<br />
<br />
1/23/14 - Super cold wind chills so Susan and I had to hit our respective treadmills. I went to the healthplex as soon as I dropped the kids off at school. I warmed up with a super easy 1.25 mile walk and then did my weights/abs before heading back over for another 1.75. But I only did a little running since my body has been feeling a little beat up. Got just enough sweat on to feel like I had really done something. <br />
<br />
Swim = 2.47 mi<br />
Bike = 92.5 mi<br />
Run = 31.25 mi<br />
Strength workouts = 8<br />
<br />
Almost there!TriMOEngrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06263218066341525194noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3660670497459217612.post-55403260401801806222014-01-20T12:02:00.000-06:002014-01-20T12:02:03.699-06:00Cruising towards finishing 140.6 in JanuarySwim miles - DONE!! Working hard to get in some bike time (and am feeling it in my legs). One brisk walk or quick run to be done with run miles. This last week was busier and I didn't get to the gym as much as I did the week before. <br />
<br />
1/15/12 - 10.00 miles on trainer before, during and after "Arrow" (fun TV show to watch with my son) while husband was at his meetings.<br />
<br />
1/16/14 - Swam 1.22 mi after long day of finishing sewer plans.<br />
<br />
1/17/14 - Was hoping to run with Susan, but the wind and cold temps were just too insane. She went to the Y and I went to the healthplex. I knocked out a mile on the treadmill, started my weight lifting, did another half mile while waiting on some equipment, did a few more exercises and then another 2.5 miles on the treadmill for total of 4 miles and strength workout. Enjoyed breakfast with Susan and she finally got to give me my Christmas present which was a "Badass Mother Runner" headband and "Another Mother Runner" water bottle.<br />
<br />
1/18/14 - Full day of laundry, errands, taking my girl to the movies, etc. But squeezed in 8.6 miles (give or take - Garmin was dead and had to estimate) of easy miles on the bike trainer.<br />
<br />
1/19/14 - Gone all day at basketball tournament, but husband took the kids to evening archery practice so I could get in 11 moderate miles on my bike trainer.<br />
<br />Swim = 2.47 mi<br /> Bike = 77.5 mi<br /> Run = 24.25 mi<br /> Strength workouts = 6TriMOEngrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06263218066341525194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3660670497459217612.post-77919853551411818952014-01-15T09:06:00.001-06:002014-01-15T09:06:24.958-06:00And the streak continues...I'm hanging in there. Still getting in some kind of workout every day. Sometimes it is a bit of a juggle. Sometimes I procrastinate the day away even when we are having freakishly warm January temperatures only to squeeze it in just before dark (or even just before bedtime). But my workout streak that I started on Thanksgiving Day (that was helped along by the HBBC), continues strong. Go me!<br />
<br />
Apparently I am way behind in posting about my workouts. I did Kiley at <a href="http://www.dvffitness.com/" target="_blank">Daily Vitamin F's</a> New Year's 5K (by getting on the trainer for 5.03 miles before the New Year's Eve party and then enjoying a relatively warm - 40ish degree - run of 3.25 miles on New Year's Day before temps crashed that night and we got snow). I joined a January challenge to do a 140.6 over the month of January on Facebook led by Jamie at <a href="http://fromcouchtoironwoman.com/">FromCouchtoIronwoman.com</a> and Michele at <a href="http://micheleintransition.com/">MicheleInTransition.com</a>. So that 3.25 miles was also the kickoff of those workouts.<br />
<br />
1/1/14 - New Year's 5K+ (3.25 mi)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8ew-zTaJ2nTRbzjo36lgUW3Vlf1Pg7tTY18j_2Q-1RsMUeXkSL6pI-7_W3oEBShpXTjcwH5ZfWMXm_TtLn3HguYETWy79lnkQfc1JzyHCAVLGpjivYNx29CONhmdrufRdwKr-gyDDJgL8/s1600/20140101_150210.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8ew-zTaJ2nTRbzjo36lgUW3Vlf1Pg7tTY18j_2Q-1RsMUeXkSL6pI-7_W3oEBShpXTjcwH5ZfWMXm_TtLn3HguYETWy79lnkQfc1JzyHCAVLGpjivYNx29CONhmdrufRdwKr-gyDDJgL8/s400/20140101_150210.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christmas decorations all taken down before the snow came and while it was still sunny!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb2LBKivXzHWqMsrETAEMNnJssOGc81CRpw7DNyT6rPAh5qjvd2uENxKm8kcjj_1wQY6Se1f5XoVyGV2HPA1ScHapLKTTvxuvUpta0NnEXi9yWf3f3Remef1KYjVROi3R7HF6xlzEfuwyL/s1600/20140101_150411.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb2LBKivXzHWqMsrETAEMNnJssOGc81CRpw7DNyT6rPAh5qjvd2uENxKm8kcjj_1wQY6Se1f5XoVyGV2HPA1ScHapLKTTvxuvUpta0NnEXi9yWf3f3Remef1KYjVROi3R7HF6xlzEfuwyL/s320/20140101_150411.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Definitely feeling the late night - slow pace, but got the miles in regardless</td></tr>
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<br />
1/2/14 - We had a snowstorm that extended our Christmas break by one lazy snow day so after a Netflix marathon with my daughter all day, I jumped on the trainer for 7.6 miles of biking.<br />
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1/3/14 - Squeezed in a quick COLD, but brisk, 2 mile walk with husband before we headed out to watch Mizzou win the Cotton Bowl at a friend's house.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoLfQbiVvw8c6e2boJp_RweFmOkenxbTp-Cozr8WC1MyjJ9WOAubh94gF6XEN5B72tA3cuhH1CS6eM3L-5SoRk6KPmZoRaoWp2Xg1MZNraI_CkcAav1vvs4sCvWUmLupjZa1hYU8R3v6k7/s1600/CottonBowl_016.32.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoLfQbiVvw8c6e2boJp_RweFmOkenxbTp-Cozr8WC1MyjJ9WOAubh94gF6XEN5B72tA3cuhH1CS6eM3L-5SoRk6KPmZoRaoWp2Xg1MZNraI_CkcAav1vvs4sCvWUmLupjZa1hYU8R3v6k7/s320/CottonBowl_016.32.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crazy game, but fun to watch while hanging out with fellow Mizzou alum</td></tr>
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1/4/14 - Spent the day moving mother-in-law from assisted living apartment to Alzheimers facility. We thought it would be closer to a year - not 4 months. But the day after Christmas she tried to "walk home" because no one would come get her to "take her home from work". So we moved her to a smaller facility with lockdown. A quick 2 mile walk with my husband was all this tired girl had left in her.<br />
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1/5/14 - When my daughter's basketball tournament got snowed out (8" with a ton of wind drifting it even deeper in other areas), I took the opportunity to get in some trainer miles - 11 to be exact.<br />
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1/6/14 - Bitter sub-zero temps and tons of snow had school canceled again. But my husband wasn't to be deterred from getting in a workout at our new gym. And feeling guilty about staying in my warm bed, I drug my butt out the door with him. We were only the 10th people to show up on that nasty day! But we got in our reps on the weights and then I knocked out 3 miles on the treadmill.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGmG-IPTfLCKi9YCb1E_6GCV9vYutmBwpLH347511N0DSIADtyjuyC2FyQ47tFQOHWaj6GTyyUEAyNrJ-G96mfgcyUDtBjFhOoV3CDJCTwCYij0EtIBwZdQSo6HFQ_xYJSHhMq85wz__id/s1600/20140106_072931.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGmG-IPTfLCKi9YCb1E_6GCV9vYutmBwpLH347511N0DSIADtyjuyC2FyQ47tFQOHWaj6GTyyUEAyNrJ-G96mfgcyUDtBjFhOoV3CDJCTwCYij0EtIBwZdQSo6HFQ_xYJSHhMq85wz__id/s400/20140106_072931.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I was not impressed with the fact this dropped 2 more degrees on the way to the gym</td></tr>
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1/7/14 - Daughter had basketball practice at a church about a block from our new gym so my husband and I headed over to do weights and then I knocked out 3 miles on the treadmill. Go me!<br />
<br />
1/8/14 - My husband started dinner and I jumped on the trainer to get in 11.65 miles. Yay for supportive spouses!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVcaWmNd6IMd3-1xhSm1DsbXK4BumQBvxy_oWbPq874xhxLNmrq5t96u9OLkaDZ0fWIO-n7AYhKZQ4mkpNHPCGeaZx8J7LuhaIAUcvy5R55heotyytPD6eFpkh3xTiUAg1jj1ztSkx7UZ0/s1600/20140108_184840.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVcaWmNd6IMd3-1xhSm1DsbXK4BumQBvxy_oWbPq874xhxLNmrq5t96u9OLkaDZ0fWIO-n7AYhKZQ4mkpNHPCGeaZx8J7LuhaIAUcvy5R55heotyytPD6eFpkh3xTiUAg1jj1ztSkx7UZ0/s400/20140108_184840.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the trainer in my garage (ie. "pain cave")<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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1/9/14 - Had to squeeze in a trip to the gym between work and going to a meeting for the kids' archery team. But we got in weights and 2.5 miles!<br />
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1/10/14 - Knocked off work in time to head over to the ARC and hit the pool for 2200 yards! I felt it too! This was a tough workout after slacking in the pool most of the last several months.<br />
<br />
1/11/14 - We knew we'd be out of town at our daughter's basketball tournament all day so we got up early and hit the gym for a strength session and 2.5 miles on the treadmill.<br />
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1/12/14 - Our day was full with getting up super early for a basketball tournament game out of town (daughter), then coming back and taking care of some stuff at home before going to the archery tournament that was here in town (both kids), then back home to work on some other things (plus some laziness) and my day almost got away from me. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitxkH0lBUoNXgmux3y8onKeVKkAiiy3isKZqKZVYjvu5rUiVfkhVChhuAngW6xJChFgNPBHvOwpwgnnDymzoeqXx8Qzy95XtoDTwTvK6Exlc1N5bEXouNQFTvPKjL2HAFMbo5-yhLEESCI/s1600/20140112_082100.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitxkH0lBUoNXgmux3y8onKeVKkAiiy3isKZqKZVYjvu5rUiVfkhVChhuAngW6xJChFgNPBHvOwpwgnnDymzoeqXx8Qzy95XtoDTwTvK6Exlc1N5bEXouNQFTvPKjL2HAFMbo5-yhLEESCI/s400/20140112_082100.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My girl on D</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsIZkKDfe-06f1MvGZ8AL9XnotbyayQKVxQetCbhfH-eiVJP_h9WXJc42p4Xxxw7OO8hPhwEHn4tF5ea6pTo3AGx1bWKuYysDhTsZv0MX2QOL-2fXVTQe-xJc-OcgGNVqQMXueHUyr0VoV/s1600/20140112_085229.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsIZkKDfe-06f1MvGZ8AL9XnotbyayQKVxQetCbhfH-eiVJP_h9WXJc42p4Xxxw7OO8hPhwEHn4tF5ea6pTo3AGx1bWKuYysDhTsZv0MX2QOL-2fXVTQe-xJc-OcgGNVqQMXueHUyr0VoV/s400/20140112_085229.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just as we went into OT - tied at 12! Lost heartbreaker 12-14</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw6TAeIYmREX3KHFCoPogTwTqpKLhrnYC-6LAlKffoeUvoLTBNmQiaSJo97nfRuEg0EJJEB3R7ZxvCtkc22fLhbpsovinhi9-nRrT6mWMbW0UTbUZt9NBPUU0kU49wfTuVv6yTcaPgYeR0/s1600/20140112_133708.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw6TAeIYmREX3KHFCoPogTwTqpKLhrnYC-6LAlKffoeUvoLTBNmQiaSJo97nfRuEg0EJJEB3R7ZxvCtkc22fLhbpsovinhi9-nRrT6mWMbW0UTbUZt9NBPUU0kU49wfTuVv6yTcaPgYeR0/s400/20140112_133708.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two tournaments in one weekend - first archery tournament (blonde with purple bow mid pic)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjHSBXDlZPdo9QlWgXBHBj7_xVX2_0iJAGD6TYM9ddNuD4sDWXtDHmahPXkp-2slOecbimKxMRryLzlALlZ5zoBfF7WGZ1A0aho1cUksZLihZAxtpnVZzhwVOiCPk7A-1OtIyfBw0_Jj_o/s1600/20140112_130654.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjHSBXDlZPdo9QlWgXBHBj7_xVX2_0iJAGD6TYM9ddNuD4sDWXtDHmahPXkp-2slOecbimKxMRryLzlALlZ5zoBfF7WGZ1A0aho1cUksZLihZAxtpnVZzhwVOiCPk7A-1OtIyfBw0_Jj_o/s400/20140112_130654.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My son in blue with back to us mid pic during archery tournament</td></tr>
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The weather was freakishly warm, but the wind was insane (30+ mph). The roads have a lot of grit and salt on them with the recent storms so I didn't even consider taking the road bike off the trainer. Instead I headed out on my mountain bike. I often forget how freaking heavy that thing is. How did I ever ride it regularly when I first started this crazy journey? Anyway, my son has been riding it as he outgrew his bike and I think he and his dad may have played with the fit because I felt completely awful on it the whole time (never mind I was hating the wind). It was approaching dusk as I finished my 9.55 miles.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXz3JWojkLLJwKHI37GeFkYQmkL9oA4WgMJlnbleY6ddIbzD2URnBQKM7_N_13UfQp1RjLNq5VhO5eDVzxYbgvgnsGOEsPAYLzygk6D7Llnca3D7NBUOX5O6NTkwx9zONymgXMV1Pvh53p/s1600/20140112_164949.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXz3JWojkLLJwKHI37GeFkYQmkL9oA4WgMJlnbleY6ddIbzD2URnBQKM7_N_13UfQp1RjLNq5VhO5eDVzxYbgvgnsGOEsPAYLzygk6D7Llnca3D7NBUOX5O6NTkwx9zONymgXMV1Pvh53p/s400/20140112_164949.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Almost waited too long - can see moon rising just over my shoulder</td></tr>
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1/13/14 - My husband started a new job this day and didn't get off work until 4:30. Thankfully, it is only about 10 min from home and I was changed and ready to go to the gym when he got here. So we snuck in a strength session plus 2 miles on the treadmill before rushing home to get son to Scouts.<br />
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1/14/14 - Kids had early release, but time still flew as I tried to get them to do homework before running daughter to piano lesson, hit the car wash, picked her up, came home and made spaghetti for dinner, snarfed that up so we could get to Girl Scouts (fire station tour plus first aid stuff) and then home for a quick 8.1 miles on the bike trainer before shower/bed.<br />
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Almost halfway through the month and my mileage is looking ok. I'm proud that I've been getting in some weight lifting when normally strength work isn't high on my priority list. I know this will help with injury prevention, etc. Going to have to ramp up bike work.<br />
<br />
Swim = 1.25 mi<br />
Bike = 47.9 mi<br />
Run = 20.25 mi<br />
Strength workouts = 5<br />
<br />TriMOEngrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06263218066341525194noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3660670497459217612.post-26795923941500345052014-01-06T13:41:00.001-06:002014-01-06T13:41:47.986-06:00Year in Review - 2013I found it a little depressing reviewing last year's goals/resolutions. I set the bar fairly high and had a wide range of goals. I think I learned one really certain thing about myself this year - I can set one big hairy ass goal and achieve it, but I don't tend to do well with lots of smaller goals. So I think for my year in review post, I'm going to focus on all of the things that I did accomplish. So to look back at a year that was full of some pretty great stuff:<br />
<br />
January - Attempted first half marathon. Being a cheapskate who has what SuperKate calls FOMO (Fear of Missing Out), I tackled a grass-roots trail race at night in the sleet: Shivering Icy Trail Race (SHITR). I failed to finish in these miserable conditions, but it remains my longest run (or slow miserable trudge) to date: 11.9 miles!<br />
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February - Team Virtus helped kick off the month with the SuperCentury on Super Bowl Sunday - though I didn't attempt 100 miles on my bike that day. I still got in a long workout and it was fun tweeting back and forth throughout the time.<br />
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March - Had a great trip to Nebraska to see friends and colleagues at the SWE Region I conference. I also had another great St. Pat's 5K with my girl. She really is on the verge of outrunning me!<br />
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April - Completed another duathlon, a fun 5K with my daughter and Team Virtus friends, and reminded myself yet again that gravel sucks (and I can't keep up with my strong biker friends).<br />
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May - I started the month volunteering at Cedar Cross which was a total blast (even if wicked cold). The same weekend I completed my first pool triathlon at TriZou (and froze my knees on the 40 degree bike ride). I also had my worst bike crash to date on Mother's Day weekend after which I dug gravel out of my elbow for a week. <br />
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June - June 1st I attempted my first bike century finishing 85 miles when flooded roads and tornado winds the night before precluded the full route. Ended the month with our first full week family vacation ever - a wonderful time in Branson.<br />
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July - I repeated the only race I've done 3 times - Show Me State Games tri. I was a little disappointed that my time didn't improve more, but finishing is still a pretty big deal for me.<br />
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August - Turning 40 had me a little out of sorts, but spending the night before my birthday doing a trail race with Susan (and choosing the shorter route this year!) made it a little better.<br />
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September - Had a blast with my entire family at the Epic Mud Run. I am regularly reminded that my daughter will soon be a better athlete than me and my son may always feel a little about exercise like I do (that it is a bit of a chore). But fun, mud and family are a great combination!<br />
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October - Finally achieved my BHAG of the year with the Ride the Rivers Century checked off my list! It started cold, but the sun warmed us up and finding someone to ride the final 25 miles with really made the difference in my outlook even as the wind had me wanting to chuck my bike into the Mississippi River.<br />
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November - My trip to AZ to visit friends and enjoy the beautiful weather was a much needed recharge of my mental batteries even as I spent each day hiking and sight-seeing. I came home appreciating my family and my marriage in a whole new way. Ended the month with a fun Pie Run on Thanksgiving with my sister where I ran an entire 5K without walking!<br />
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December - Weather canceled out the Jingle Bell Run in Columbia, but XLMIC helped get me out the door with her JB Hell virtual race (twice due my inability to read dates) while Kiley at Daily Vitamin F got me going on Christmas Eve/Day and New Years Eve/Day with her Holiday Virtual Race series. And once again, Amanda at Run to the Finish and her Holiday Bootie Buster Challenge kept me moving. These all played into my final goal of keeping up a workout streak through the end of the year (which is still going btw). Even when I was getting a sore throat or tired from dealing with Christmas stuff, I managed to squeeze in a couple mile walk or half hour on the bike trainer or something! Super proud of this!<br />
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I kind of got out of the habit of updating my swim, bike, run totals a couple months ago, but have written down enough information to go back and add it all up. So....drum roll please...my final totals for 2013 are:<br />
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Swim = 12.4 miles<br />
Bike = 1360.2 miles<br />
Run (including some walking/hiking miles) = 318.9<br />
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Solid numbers with nothing to be ashamed about. Just not as high as I had hoped either. Now to contemplate my 2014 goals.<br />
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TriMOEngrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06263218066341525194noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3660670497459217612.post-35455929579726908512013-12-29T12:12:00.001-06:002013-12-29T12:12:13.172-06:00HBBC Week 6 + Christmas 5KsWe are closing in on the final week of the Holiday Bootie Buster Challenge. It is looking like I'll be lucky to have maintained my weight through this crazy time. I have kept my workout streak alive since Thanksgiving which has been a big deal for me. Exercise consistency has always been a struggle for me so I'm ultra proud of that. I also participated in Kiley at Daily Vitamin F's holiday 5Ks. So here is the round up of HBBC Week 6:<br />
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Sunday 12/22 - Bike trainer time (9.5 miles) = 3.2 points<br />
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Monday 12/23 - Walk with my husband (2 miles) + FB = 3 points<br />
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Tuesday 12/24 - The day was sunny and the recent freezing rain had coated the trees with ice so that they shimmered like glass sculptures. I don't think the pics can show how pretty everything looked even though it was a pretty cold run though I tried. Christmas Eve 5K (well, 3.2 miles) + FB = 4.2 points<br />
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Wednesday 12/25 - Wore my new running shirt and the holiday socks that I got from Kiley in the sock swap for my Christmas Day 5K (lovely weather and need to take a break from my inlaws made for actually getting 3.65 miles) + FB = 4.7 points<br />
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Thursday 12/26 - Early in the day I had stopped by my neighbor's house to drop something off and her kids wanted me and my daughter to stay and play Just Dance. I slayed them all and got in some bonus cardio. We joined a new gym (Sam B. Cook Healthplex) this week and Thursday we had our health assessments. There was some weight lifting and some cardio time while they were checking things and then we stayed a little after to do some more laps on the track (1/18 of a mile - painful to do all those laps, but my girl kept me motivated). My daughter was disappointed that she can't use most of the equipment so we did a bunch of lunges, squats, situps, planks, etc so she felt like she got a good workout. In the end we knocked out a couple miles plus all the strength work. Later my husband wanted to go on a walk to discuss some things on our minds so we got in another couple of miles. + FB = 6 points<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtVe3lx2ww5RaTASoi_3nOGSusxMuCiXMT6jmr9woHoAsgZhNAZaRt2Q5UrEvWHmzdGo9kJM7FnetzdTgFjNhgQIjo6BAH2WVdBgo0bamfJgdsXyAO3PqGIZe89Ifd5bhkJDPHbSqFaD1k/s1600/20131226_113356.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtVe3lx2ww5RaTASoi_3nOGSusxMuCiXMT6jmr9woHoAsgZhNAZaRt2Q5UrEvWHmzdGo9kJM7FnetzdTgFjNhgQIjo6BAH2WVdBgo0bamfJgdsXyAO3PqGIZe89Ifd5bhkJDPHbSqFaD1k/s400/20131226_113356.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was the only time I wasn't winning (as I wasn't playing) LOL</td></tr>
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Friday 12/27 - Got up early and rode in a car for nearly 3 hours to spend time with my extended family (very small that it is) at my aunt's house. It was great to visit, but the day was pretty shot by the time we spent nearly another 3 hours in the car on the way home. Thankfully, the bike trainer is darn handy and not out in the cold. Set up my Netflix and knocked out 10.2 miles before cleaning up and heading off to bed. I also managed to pass on soda at my aunt's house and drink water nearly all day for one additional point + FB = 5.4<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyGQ1LvObXqpoFy9cC2tI1xZvByYdvkvyJHeMKO7Cjbvm3OMXgzgJSHl-ZLSz0JcbTDpsWiNGf5YgrC6ygq0sT_Y7gdXrMSMGQ3-8jlvCqaGgCVsb0AnnMebxwN8bHha6So57wpXmmMUlP/s1600/20131227_163218.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyGQ1LvObXqpoFy9cC2tI1xZvByYdvkvyJHeMKO7Cjbvm3OMXgzgJSHl-ZLSz0JcbTDpsWiNGf5YgrC6ygq0sT_Y7gdXrMSMGQ3-8jlvCqaGgCVsb0AnnMebxwN8bHha6So57wpXmmMUlP/s400/20131227_163218.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My aunt and cousin - the extent of my blood relatives besides my sister/2 nephews/2 kids</td></tr>
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Saturday 12/28 - Back to the gym to meet with one of the "Exercise Specialists". I wasn't all that impressed with the workout plan that they set up for us. I'll probably hire a trainer to come up with something better, but it was an introduction to several of the machines so not a big deal. We did more reps for a more well rounded strength workout. After we finished the kids and I jumped on some cardio equipment and got a couple more miles. We were at the gym for about two hours. There was some standing around as we were shown how to execute the exercises properly. + FB = 6 points.<br />
<br />
Week 6 Total = 32.5 points<br />
<br />
Wrapping up this year and this challenge. Going to go bundle up for another walk with my husband. TriMOEngrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06263218066341525194noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3660670497459217612.post-90057743271436751222013-12-21T16:34:00.000-06:002013-12-21T16:34:04.199-06:00HBBC Weeks 4/5 + Jingle Bell Hell Part DeuxThe workout streak is alive and well (22 days!). But with the craziness of the holidays, my eating/drinking hasn't been as stellar as I'd like. I guess that isn't really a surprise. On top of it, I had a few days this week of feeling a little puny with a throat feeling like sandpaper. But at a minimum every day (even on days I really didn't feel like it), I got out for a brisk walk with my tall husband (thus super fast paced because of his crazy long legs). But for a bit of an update on my Bootie Busting progress:<br />
<br />
Week 4:<br />
<br />
Sunday 12/8: 13 miles on bike trainer - 4.3 pts + FB = 5.3<br />
<br />
Monday 12/9: 8.76 miles on bike trainer (a win after a long night of shopping had me wanting to just bag this workout) + FB = 3.9 <br />
<br />
Tuesday 12/10: Ran before (and partly during) my daughter's piano lesson for 4.1 miles + FB = 5.1<br />
<br />
Wednesday 12/11: 15.5 miles on bike trainer = 5.1 <br />
<br />
Thursday 12/12: 4.2 miles with Susan on the Greenway + FB (plus a win when I chose to eat a healthy breakfast of fruit/oatmeal instead of a coke at McDs) = 5.2<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We were smiling even though it was 20 degrees - <br />
annoying that it got up into the 40's later in the afternoon</td></tr>
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Friday 12/13: 10 miles on bike trainer while I was accidentally scorching the chili I had on the stove for our neighborhood party (oops) = 3.3 (but ate way too much along with a couple of margaritas at the party - no clean eating bonus points here)<br />
<br />
Saturday 12/14: Was supposed to Jingle Bell Run in Columbia with my daughter, but the event was canceled at 5:50 AM (before 8 AM race) due to ice and snow; snuggled back into bed and then late in the afternoon headed out for a very cold and slightly slushy 2 mile walk with husband + FB = 3<br />
<br />
Week 4 Total = 30.9<br />
<br />
Week 5:<br />
<br />
Sunday 12/15: Bike trainer workout in the evening for 10 miles while husband supervised both kids at archery team practice + FB = 4.3<br />
<br />
Monday 12/16: Neighborhood run in lovely weather (balmy 32 degrees) for 3.2 miles + FB = 4.2<br />
<br />
Tuesday 12/17: Feeling kind of puny - Just a brisk walk for 2 miles (though honestly I felt a little better after going - maybe I should have tried to do it earlier in the day) + FB = 3<br />
<br />
Wednesday 12/18: Hair appointment, shopping ALL day, picked up kids and only was up for a 2 mile walk with husband + FB = 3 <br />
<br />
Thursday 12/19: Fantastic run in 50ish degree weather on the Greenway with Susan for 6 miles and later conceded to walking with husband for another 2 miles - banner workout day! FB for 9 points total.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHhYpMzHp3868z5vraGEuR2OIRbvd_B_vLb-CyUcCh5AsBHAatpN6V0Qtkbgc4q8sZqWq8qqGAdHqQLnvIjD3fTlt9fxEYqgqWCj39gNEuVhlanxtfiZYhbSOh6ki33Z88KKLvE3NWEbpM/s1600/susanDec2013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHhYpMzHp3868z5vraGEuR2OIRbvd_B_vLb-CyUcCh5AsBHAatpN6V0Qtkbgc4q8sZqWq8qqGAdHqQLnvIjD3fTlt9fxEYqgqWCj39gNEuVhlanxtfiZYhbSOh6ki33Z88KKLvE3NWEbpM/s400/susanDec2013.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I really love how much fun you can see we were having here - <br />
about half way through our run in front of County Park Lake which still has a skim of ice across it</td></tr>
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<br />
<br />
Friday 12/20: Busy day doing some last minute shopping. Cold walk with husband in the late afternoon on a dreary cloudy day for 2 miles.<br />
<br />
Saturday 12/21: Jingle Bell Hell (Part Deux) - I got the weekend dates wrong so I recently tweeted to XLMIC that I would be doing a Part Deux (which she loved) and on the day of her in person (with donuts) run. But there were no donuts for me. Nor California sunshine. Instead, the day dawned with freezing rain and temps hovering right about freezing. I thought that sounded hellish enough, but my husband suggested some hill repeats for good measure. I'm not a big fan of those so I thought it was perfect. He prescribed that I go to the bottom of the steep hill, back up to the top of a cul-de-sac (which is back over my shoulder in the pic below) and then back down to the bottom and repeat 2x. Turned out that was going to be a little short distance wise so I added a length down to the Wavco driveway on the last leg and then added the short hill that I live on for a solid 3.5 miles! FB'd about my run for the extra point = 4.5 pts<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBiLrJUbjfvIGiHgMv2TotBAJ0hMSdAl9pieSnzfME3bPua7BDKEyptLCT9iwTb2QzAtmVW4ERQsLYpM9Ndiqd-zp9xVdz5d8ODQTQ4B7w676V4MwnAbwVVN4KX0ZF2DYGrR9GuNWEh1lp/s1600/580284_10202703856788578_1304759458_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBiLrJUbjfvIGiHgMv2TotBAJ0hMSdAl9pieSnzfME3bPua7BDKEyptLCT9iwTb2QzAtmVW4ERQsLYpM9Ndiqd-zp9xVdz5d8ODQTQ4B7w676V4MwnAbwVVN4KX0ZF2DYGrR9GuNWEh1lp/s400/580284_10202703856788578_1304759458_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Why am I smiling for hill repeats in freezing rain?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCNaGfe6VZ3VrIpF0qN9tOKWKmleaPEmbf6FdRwDOcarrBHbumwL1pIojPg0uf9Ka0VfL7W2l_l9dtPVuKknYsSG-GEiurTAjipdi4dhJLg28t9yqNVK-ywVy0xUOsCwSNHL0lxj9lLZtm/s1600/1512638_10202703857428594_797778798_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCNaGfe6VZ3VrIpF0qN9tOKWKmleaPEmbf6FdRwDOcarrBHbumwL1pIojPg0uf9Ka0VfL7W2l_l9dtPVuKknYsSG-GEiurTAjipdi4dhJLg28t9yqNVK-ywVy0xUOsCwSNHL0lxj9lLZtm/s400/1512638_10202703857428594_797778798_n.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maybe it was imaging what people thought of my elf-like socks and my husband's oversized sweatshirt so that I "matched"</td></tr>
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<br />
Week 5 Total: 30 points! Now if only I could clean up my eating! Scale has been a bit all over the place hovering around 165. It's dipped down a little and jumped up a little, but seems relatively settled which I call good for the holiday season. Now if I only get extra points for all the wrapping I need to do.TriMOEngrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06263218066341525194noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3660670497459217612.post-59234603588882737352013-12-10T17:06:00.000-06:002013-12-10T17:06:03.848-06:00Streaking! HBBC Wk 3, Jingle Bell Hell, Etc.The streak is alive! I'm so excited that I have managed to commit to at least some kind of exercise everyday (started Thanksgiving Day). It is a renewed commitment to getting in a workout that finds me often squeezing something in at the end of the day when I would normally curl up under the flannel sheets and call it a night. I think my new motto might be "better late in the day than not at all". Not always good for getting a good night's sleep, but I can usually catch up at some point.<br />
<br />
This is helping with the HBBC 2013 points too! Especially because I can't seem to get my freggie point (curse that point!) and my water is still pretty hit or miss (mostly miss). So without further ado:<br />
<br />
Sunday (12/1): 3.25 mi run to Walmart and back, actually ate veggies/fruit, Facebook'd the group = 5.25 pts<br />
<br />
Monday (12/2): 3.5 mi run with Stacy in evening, FB'd - 4.5 pts<br />
<br />
Tuesday (12/3): 3.2 mi run with Stacy in evening, FB'd - 4.2 pts<br />
<br />
Wednesday (12/4): 6.0 mi on bike trainer while watching Netflix, Salad w/ dinner loaded with veggies, fruit for breakfast (calling it half point), FB'd - 3.5 pts<br />
<br />
Thursday (12/5): 10 mi on bike trainer, FB = 4.3 pts<br />
<br />
Friday (12/6): 1850 yds in pool in about 45 min, 2 mi walk with husband, FB = 6 pts<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikcfTFI2qsfRRZFSFBoAmY_D-cjHnCF4K0wLRkPi2cH9mnTpNCvL0uNoEsChbMDA9wLe-Ga608t7x-qk0dJCz4zuyhlkNh_fxiZWui8k1pLB8tFYF703cwqtROgEM4oxUp64eNlQN8diDN/s1600/20131206_160005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikcfTFI2qsfRRZFSFBoAmY_D-cjHnCF4K0wLRkPi2cH9mnTpNCvL0uNoEsChbMDA9wLe-Ga608t7x-qk0dJCz4zuyhlkNh_fxiZWui8k1pLB8tFYF703cwqtROgEM4oxUp64eNlQN8diDN/s400/20131206_160005.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pool was dead on a super cold Friday afternoon. Lap lanes behind me.</td></tr>
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Saturday (12/7): Jingle Bell Hell virtual race with<a href="http://didyougetanyofthat.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"> XLMIC</a> for 3.1 miles = 3.1 pts<br />
<br />
HBBC Week #3 = 30.85!!<br />
<br />
MMNW - 167.2 down a little, but progress slow.<br />
<br />
Jingle Bell Hell Race Report: I bailed on my usual Thursday run with Susan when the day dawned in single digit wind chills. But I was hoping to get out for a run to the bank on Saturday and thought I'd just try to dress for the cold and make the best of it since there wasn't any snow or ice (which there has been since then). I waited until the afternoon when it warmed up to all of 23 degrees (*first point of "hell"). I put on my new thermal tights and yoga pants, running shirt and warm cycling jacket, Buff, ear warmer, gloves and socks/shoes. I needed one more layer on top as I was cold until I got to the bank (where I sweated while waiting on my bank business - ugh! - *2nd point of "hell"). Headed back home only to be faced with a GPS watch stating that I'd only gone 2.9 miles when I reached the street in front of my house (*3rd point of hell). I "laughed" (requirement) a little and kept on going to the end of our property where my watch buzzed 3 miles and I turned around to come home for the final 0.1. I tried to take a festive shot of myself with one of the Christmas decorations, but Murphy and his damn law - a shadow from my phone. Came inside and realized that some comibination of my shirt, sweat, etc had caused me to break out in some kind of hives (final point of hell). Thankfully it went away pretty quickly. Oh well - Happy Jingle Bell Hell to all!<br />
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TriMOEngrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06263218066341525194noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3660670497459217612.post-83827575698588892852013-12-03T11:35:00.001-06:002013-12-03T11:35:08.512-06:00HBBC 2013 - Weeks 1 & 2 + MMNWI've had a rough start to the Holiday Bootie Buster Challenge 2013. The good news was that it caught the tail end of my relatively active Phoenix vacation. I did some playing around with MapMyRide and managed to get some mileage estimates for a couple of my outings in Tempe and Phoenix. So the summary of Week 1 (which I finally got the points in the spreadsheet TODAY - doh):<br />
<br />
11/17-11/23<br />
<br />
Sunday: Hiked 0.2 mi to the Hole in the Rock overlook plus walked 5.3 miles with all the trekking around IMAZ spectating. We also did a fair amount of walking at the Botanical Gardens, but it was very slow with lots of stopping to looky-loo so I'm not counting it. Fairly certain the only fruit I had was a slice of lime in my margarita and I'm pretty sure spinach dip doesn't count in the Freggie dept. Drank lots of water while in the dry air so I'll give myself a point there. = 6.5 points<br />
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Monday: Hiked 3.7 miles to top of Sunrise Mountain in Peoria, AZ. Again a freggie fail. Three 16 oz waters, so just short of a water point (especially since I also had a margarita and a soda). = 3.7 points<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihJsKPpEa8SJ0C-Si2wRXv0PQ-KUxC_UvuB1Ez50D6T_C32fGEq0WB20r-e5Ybze2Tqg9zTa5JqOKcXOwycubatpxJTTY-9m2uHc_hICXbr50QwCS2ECwr_oIqOcwuZha85ScnhMKuU1Ab/s1600/20131118_095110.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihJsKPpEa8SJ0C-Si2wRXv0PQ-KUxC_UvuB1Ez50D6T_C32fGEq0WB20r-e5Ybze2Tqg9zTa5JqOKcXOwycubatpxJTTY-9m2uHc_hICXbr50QwCS2ECwr_oIqOcwuZha85ScnhMKuU1Ab/s400/20131118_095110.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">See my water cup?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Tuesday: I don't think I did anything even resembling being on a diet as I stressed to play catchup from being gone for the better part of a week.<br />
<br />
Wednesday: Freggie/water fail. HBBC guilt sent me out the door for 2.9 miles in my neighborhood. = 2.9 points<br />
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Thursday: Walked with husband 2.0 miles = 2.0 points<br />
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Friday: Fail again. <br />
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Saturday: Fail. Walked with husband 2.0 miles = 2.0 points<br />
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Facebook group points - I'm pretty sure I posted in the group at least once. <br />
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Total Points for Week #1: 18.1<br />
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11/24 - 11/30<br />
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Sunday: Fail - plus gorged myself at charity breakfast<br />
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Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday: Fail<br />
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Thursday (Thanksgiving): Thanksgiving Pie Run (aka Turkey Trot) 5K with my sister; freggie fail (I won't count veggies coated in cheese or in rice casseroles; ate enough mashed potatoes that I should have skipped dessert) = 3.2 points (race a little long)<br />
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<br />
Friday: Spent time with extended family. Went out to dinner and had a salad, but also a burger. Not enough freggies as usual. Walked with my husband - 2.0 miles. = 2 points<br />
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Saturday: Took daughter and niece to pool. Knocked out 2000 yards with lots of resting - 1 hour plus some play time with the kiddos. Calling it 4 points (1 pt/15 min of laps). Drank a bottled water at the pool concession. Drank coke most of the rest of the day. Nutrition fail. = 4 points<br />
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Posted in FB group at least once = 1 point<br />
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Total points for Week #2: 10.2<br />
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12/1 - Sunday: Didn't overindulge in pancakes after mass; drank water most of the day (only one 12 oz coke); ate entire broccoli crown plus half cucumber with dinner plus a banana for finally getting one freggie point; ran 3.25 miles at dusk. FB group post = 6.25 points<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stormwater geeks run to detention basins and back (Walmart's specifically)</td></tr>
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12/2 - Monday: Overindulged both breakfast and dinner (though sadly I don't think lettuce and tomato on my burger count much as a freggie point); only a little water and mostly after my 3.5 mile run with Stacy (which felt much better than most of my runs - huh, imagine that!). = 3.5 points<br />
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Kind of feeling like trying a "streak" of some kind. Mostly because the numbers on the scale have slowly been creeping up on me. MMNW was 168.4. I had been solidly in the low 160s with even seeing the rare 159 only a few months ago. I know the nutrition has been a big fail. So has the soda drinking. And I haven't been as consistent with working out. So I think my "streak" will to just do SOMETHING every day. My husband got my bike all set up on the trainer (even installing my new cadence/speed sensor so I can get a "distance" - belated Happy Birthday to me!). So that is my new goal for December. Will probably run tonight since it is supposed to be our last warmish evening for a while. Fingers crossed I can stick with it! I'd really like to see the scale move back down during this crazy holiday season! It's been done in the past (HBBC 2011) so let's just see!<br />
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Definitely thankful for <a href="http://www.runtothefinish.com/" target="_blank">Amanda</a> and her HBBC 2013!TriMOEngrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06263218066341525194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3660670497459217612.post-79640916902512490902013-11-28T17:53:00.000-06:002013-11-28T17:53:03.523-06:00Thanksgiving Pie Run 2013Busy week, but I managed to go on a couple of brisk walks with my husband to knock out a handful of HBBC 2013 points. But have to admit that running in single digit temps in the mornings just hasn't been appealing. I know you just wear the right gear and suck it up, but I found every excuse in the book not to. Thankfully, my sister had mentioned doing the Thanksgiving Day race that is fairly popular here in Jeff City. So I took the race entries over last night and pre-registered (in record time - no line, no crowd SO AWESOME of JCRRC). Then this morning we got up and got going (after a minor hiccup with her leaving her running shoes at home in WI - thankfully mine are only a half size smaller and she said she could make them work for a 5K).<br />
<br />
We got to the race, parked and stood in line for the portopots. Before we knew it the 10K folks were off and we moved toward the start line and then we were off. Sis wanted to know how much I could run and not walk. My first goal was the first mile. After a half mile, we played a game counting the folks we passed. We tried not to be rude and count out loud. And a few repassed us and we took them out of our count. This is a big race with a lot of folks that aren't necessarily "regular" runners so you always have some people that go out too fast (plus all the kids that do the sprint at the start and peter out a half mile in).<br />
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We hit the first mile in about 11:45. Not a bad pace and generally sustainable. But there was some superelevation on a curve that was making my legs scream (slope on the road). Then, my legs (shins, ankles, knees, butt) never really stopped talking to me. I was never particularly out of breath. We chatted about exercise physiology stuff (sis is PhD) and what research says about training and so on. I carried on a conversation the whole time. I just felt like I couldn't make my legs go any faster. But I kept running.<br />
<br />
Second mile was slower - 12:27. But I was still feeling like I could keep "running" (and yes, I realize this is a relative term at that pace). So I kept pushing on. As we closed in on three miles, I felt myself picking up the pace ever so slightly as I just wanted to be done. I don't really have a finish "kick", but I did the best I could once we hit the last straight away. Last full mile was 12:13 and then the 0.16 mi was 10:22. So not overall awful paces, but not great either. We did pass 50 people in our game though.<br />
<br />
I was annoyed that I finished what I think is damn near my slowest 5K in a couple of years having "run" the whole way and not walked. Garmin says it was 38:03. I guess I am better at my usual approach - run until my lungs hurt and then walk until I catch my breath - because I ran this almost 4 min slower than last year. Boo. But I did enjoy the time with my sister. We shared half a donut and got some water bottles and then sat in the car for a bit because the finish line was between us and the exit (no wonder no one parks over there).<br />
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Came home and took a couple pictures. One of the two of us for Facebook and one with the Daily Vitamin F Thanksgiving Virtual Run bib. Now for turkey time!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and my sis post Pie Run</td></tr>
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<br />TriMOEngrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06263218066341525194noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3660670497459217612.post-89530377032813152882013-11-21T20:43:00.000-06:002013-11-21T20:43:08.252-06:00Phoenix Trip Apparently I got busy before, during and after my trip to Phoenix as I just looked back and it has been over 3 weeks since I blogged. Work has been relatively crazy plus I had all the last minute logistics and packing to do. And I haven't been as diligent as I would like on the workout front so here we are.<br />
<br />
All that I have on my Garmin was a run to the bank (3 miles) on 11/2. I know I went on a walk with my husband a couple of times in there, but maybe I didn't actually "run" again until last night. Wow! Good news is that I had a VERY active vacation (even if all of that activity was offset by all the wonderful food and multiple margaritas). <br />
<br />
Last Wednesday (11/13), I had a haircut in the morning, packed and drove to KC for a meeting with a client before my 5:00 flight to Phoenix. Yes, I love that I can now deduct my mileage to and from KC. I landed a little early and my friend Lori was waiting for me and we headed to her house. Getting there fairly late left just enough time to see her kids off to bed and visit for a bit and get myself settled. After a neighbor's dog barked half the night, I was up before the sun and checking on my kids getting ready for school completely unsupervised (which went way smoother than I had imagined it would - praise the Lord!) After her kids were off to school, we headed to the Heard Museum, had lunch at a great hole in the wall cheesesteak place and then went on to hike Piestewa Peak (aka Squaw Peak).<br />
<br />
The stuff I found online indicated a hike of about 1.2 miles to the summit. I failed to note it was a 1200'+ elevation gain. So in my mind, this was going to be a fairly short and easy hike. Lori had done it once before and said it was hard, but also said it had been pretty hot when she had done it. I should have taken note because this was not the little crushed gravel trails I'm used to. This was super rocky and damned near straight up. I really wasn't sure Lori was up for it. But a few times I kidded and said "Suck it up" and a few times I gave her the option to let me go on alone to the top. I wasn't going to let this thing beat me, but I was huffing and puffing along too. We stopped every so often to catch our breaths and kick ourselves for taking water bottles in hand instead of a camelback. Note to self for future hikes made.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLivIwIDe4cK-0E5TrdALweDhHakt5YGl8HzUw4FX41As_a-BbL1ilyzrrur_y70jAfRvGTwPZ6oisDMTaS-g2dNRSpn1dnQVlGGhghClabedWwDZ_W2Wi-ezuC2q7NXYnlxLUUp4PYkmM/s1600/20131114_144002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLivIwIDe4cK-0E5TrdALweDhHakt5YGl8HzUw4FX41As_a-BbL1ilyzrrur_y70jAfRvGTwPZ6oisDMTaS-g2dNRSpn1dnQVlGGhghClabedWwDZ_W2Wi-ezuC2q7NXYnlxLUUp4PYkmM/s400/20131114_144002.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lori managed to smile after she caught her breath</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhldHhuPbEwr8l2SkNhDS84G_ucXMwf7VR5tP66ZSqtYQXXU1n00w3qvxbcNPnz20NiXpUb_h-RTJqNKeKHbbnpSvqhQhKjvtYwX_CXYpdubIDpszeQ66t7MXUU18KNKP-O8tmet8r0WwOE/s1600/20131114_155121.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhldHhuPbEwr8l2SkNhDS84G_ucXMwf7VR5tP66ZSqtYQXXU1n00w3qvxbcNPnz20NiXpUb_h-RTJqNKeKHbbnpSvqhQhKjvtYwX_CXYpdubIDpszeQ66t7MXUU18KNKP-O8tmet8r0WwOE/s400/20131114_155121.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Enjoying the view of the valley of the sun from the top of Squaw Peak</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taken by some folks who didn't like being told "only a little further" </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kicking back my feet while checking out the view below</td></tr>
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After about an hour, we made it to the top and the views were a nice payoff for all the hard work. My legs felt a little like jello, but I knew it was a great workout. Unfortunately, we still had to go back down. This is when I realized I have a little fear of heights and as the trail is rougher up higher, I was a bit nervous coming back down on my shakey legs. But we powered through and made it back to the car as the sun started to set.<br />
<br />
After showers, we headed out for drinks with another friend of mine. Lori and I split some appetizers (still way too much food - geez my guts hurt from all this eating). <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cheers!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and my friend Janine</td></tr>
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Another poor night of sleep, but Lori had invited me to go with her to spend 30 min with her personal trainer to do a mostly upper body workout at 8 AM. I wasn't sure what to think, but soon enough we were doing all sorts of things with the weakest muscles of my body. OUCH!! My arms were limp noodles and I just thanked God it was only 30 minutes. In the shower back at Lori's house, I could barely raise my arms to shampoo my hair! <br />
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We headed over towards Scottsdale and took a wonderful tour of Taliesan West (Frank Lloyd Wright famed campus). I wanted to be an architect when I was younger only to realize I had no artistic ability whatsoever so I went into engineering. However, I am still totally enamored by beautiful structures that other genius minds create and while the tour was kind of pricey, it was fantastic and lasted nearly 2 hours! We ate a late lunch and then Lori dropped me off with my friend Anne Marie so Lori could head back to Peoria to spend the afternoon/evening with her daughter who turned 9 that day.<br />
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Anne Marie and I changed into hiking clothes and headed over to Pinnacle Peak. We did a lovely out and back trail that totaled about 3.5 miles with some up, down, up, and down mixed in with lovely views. You never actually make it to the summit, but you still see lots. We cleaned up back at her house and went for dinner (another margarita for me and a beer for Anne Marie). Then we strolled around Old Scottsdale peaking in all the gallery windows and such before she took me home.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anne Marie and I on the front side of Pinnacle Peak</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My favorite shot from the Pinnacle Peak hike</td></tr>
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Saturday, Lori and I headed to Sedona for the day. It was interesting to see the landscape changed as you headed up in elevation. And it was much cooler there (so I was thankful I took a jacket along - though the weather was amazing the whole trip, it was fairly overcast and had just rained in Sedona). We mostly followed a self-guided driving tour I had found online to see several notable rock formations, etc and get some great pictures (which was easy there). We stopped and shopped for a bit and had lunch with a gorgeous view. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At airport overlook in Sedona</td></tr>
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After the sun went down, we walked through an area with a bunch of galleries and then grabbed some dinner (where I had another margarita that was very strong and got a little silly suggesting that the older gentleman at the next table would get lucky if his wife finished her margarita - I really though I didn't say that out loud, but Lori assured me I had - oops). We did a nice little hike - probably 2 miles total with a little elevation gain to get up to a lookout. But this was mostly a day in the car with a fairly late drive back to Phoenix. I could definitely spend a few more days exploring other hiking areas in Sedona. So pretty!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Toasting a wonderful day</td></tr>
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Sunday, we headed to the Desert Botanical Garden which was featuring an installation of this artist that works in glass sculpture. It was cool to see the added color since most of the plants weren't blooming. We learned about a lot of the plants in and around the Sonoran Desert area and answered a few questions Lori had since she has only lived out there a year. We had lunch there and walked around a little more before heading over to Hole in the Rock. This actually was a short/easy hike, but still provided some nice views. <br />
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But before it got too late on us, I wanted to do some IMAZ spectating! So we found a place to park along the run course and walked toward the finish. We saw a few cyclists coming back to transition and cheered them on. We saw a handful of the fast folks finish (about the 9.5-10 hour mark). The transition area was a site in itself to behold. But soon, Lori was worried about getting back to the car in the dark and was sure we could park closer. So we headed back, cheering runners along the way. I loved some of the signs along the route and was continuously inspired by all competing. We had dinner (more margaritas) and went back to the finish for the folks finishing in the 13-14 hour range. Even watched a guy bend down on one knee and propose in the finish chute. Is it terrible that I was thinking "Hey dude! This is a race! Finish before you do that!" But I got some high 5's from folks that were enjoying their finish experience and cheered on those that looked like they were struggling a bit more. So very inspirational. I tweeted that and was asked if I signed up for next year - the answer was "no", but I have to admit it was tempting. I definitely will sign up for some kind of new triathlon challenge - just probably not IM yet.<br />
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We headed home about 9. I sort of wished I could stay until midnight, but I was wearing out my hostess and it was a ways to get back to her house and cleaned up for bed. Exhaustion got the better of us. Got up in the morning and hugged her kids goodbye as they headed off to school and we headed off to hike Sunrise Mountain that is literally a stone's throw from Lori's house. To some, it may not be so much of a mountain as a big hill, but it was a perfect little hike to end the trip with. We sat enjoying the morning breeze at the summit and took a few pics before going back to shower and pack up. <br />
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We grabbed lunch after a quick stop through Bed, Bath and Beyond (I got a cute Tervis cup with little lizards to remind me of my trip and how much I had to drink water constantly on it). I squeezed in one more margarita for the road and then we went to the airport. It was 79 degrees when I got on the airplane in Phoenix and 43 degrees when I got off in KC and down into the 30's by the time I drove back home. Back to reality.<br />
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Have spent the last few days catching up on hugs from my kids and some loving from my husband. Nothing like absence to make us appreciate each other more. Of course, I've also had the usual mom duties of piano, basketball, grocery shopping, etc. My daughter got to tell me all about shooting her first deer (a doe on opening morning of the regular firearms season). But I also realized that the Holiday Bootie Buster Challenge started this week. So last night, after dinner and even though it had gotten dark, I drug my butt out the door for a little run around the neighborhood. It was about 40 degrees, but I was a little overheated when I was done. I hate that about this time of year that you always start out cold and then are overdressed after fully warmed up. I never get that right.TriMOEngrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06263218066341525194noreply@blogger.com2