Lately, I have not been running so fast and I get very frustrated! Yesterday, I got up and ran before spin class. I started out rather quick but I even got to pick up my pace! I ended up with a good average and was quite happy about that! Hopefully, I can keep it up for several reasons including but not limited to: maybe PR at Las Vegas, lose weight, and run faster at IM Canada.
Today, a run, teach 2 spin classes and bike ride! Tomorrow, run and teach 1 spin class. Saturday, we will be going to a Special Olympic Qualifier for our cyclists. Sunday, a century in Greenville. Hopefully, I can get back to sleep before beginning the rest of my day.
Yesterday, I got an exciting package from the ever lovely Elizabeth. A New WETSUIT! It is so fancy. I have not been able to try it on but it looks soooooooooo nice!
Gotta figure out someway to lose about 10 pounds and keep it off. I know the answer is to eat right and exercise. Temptation is horrible though and I have a hard time resisting it. Wish I could figure some way to do that. I wish it was not so hard to resist yummy things. Speaking of which, I am from the South and I have never had a Moon Pie. Yesterday, Mary brought in several snacks to the shop yesterday and some of them were Moon Pies. I tried a vanilla one and it was different. Not sure it will be #1 on my list but it wasn't bad!
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Yoga
Friday and yesterday, Ginger and I went to yoga at our gym. Friday's class was a little challenging. Monday was a whole different experience. We get to class and it is packed so we settle in at the back of the class and start to relax. Well, there are two gentlemen in front of us and as we are in the corpse pose, we hear almost like a growling noise - kind of like a grizzly bear. At this point, I just think this person is really getting into the breathing. As class continues, it gets louder and louder. Imagine a bear with a soft growl every time you inhale and exhale. If there was a difficult pose, it got louder. So, next to Grizzly Adams is an older gentlemen who is having a hard time but trying his heart out. The instructor says something about saying good morning to your hips and he is saying good afternoon. This banter about the poses goes on for most of the rest of the class. So between Grizzly Adams and the other gentleman, Ginger and I start giggling and I think for sure we are going to get thrown out of yoga class. Finally, we finish class...we are happy and well stretched! Not a bad way to start off a Monday.
Yesterday, I rode to the gym, ran, did yoga, worked, taught spin class and rode home. I am up early today in anticipation of going to Body Pump but the bed might be calling. I plan to run, lift, cycle and teach 2 spin classes. Cycling might not happen because someone is supposed to come and look at something in my house late this afternoon. I hope they will be on time so I can ride.
Last night at my spin class, Alex (one of our Special Olympics athletes) came to class. It was great! Alex is one of the most polite kids I know. He always says Yes, Ms. Jen or Yes, Ma'am. How many kids do that? He also is becoming a great cyclist. At practice last week, he had improved 100% from last year. He is smiling almost all the time and is really a joy!
Sunday, I went to officiate a crit in Wake Forest. My friends, John and Justin, went with me. If I had a younger brother, it would probably be Lil Justin. He is a good kid and is a great cyclist. Justin raced twice - once in Juniors and once in Cat 4. Justin was third in Juniors - the first place guy was second in the pro race! Justin did great to hang on to the pack in the Cat 4 race until the last lap where they blew it apart. He came in 13th in a big field. John and I got to hang out under some huge shade trees and not worry about cleaning our respective houses. It was great and it is always fun to see Judy and the other officials. It was a long day...leaving at 5 am and getting home at 8:30 pm. We had fun though and lots of laughs! If Justin had only known had to drive a stick then we could have had margaritas! Dang it! Can you believe people today do not know how to drive a stick?
The plan this week...
Tomorrow-run and teach 2 spin classes.
Thursday- weights, and ride, teach 2 spin classes
Friday-run, teach 1 spin class and Special Olympics Cycling Classes.
Saturday-run, Special Olympics Qualifier, weights
Sunday-ride in Greenville
When is there time for a nap???? Got to schedule these types of things.
Yesterday, I rode to the gym, ran, did yoga, worked, taught spin class and rode home. I am up early today in anticipation of going to Body Pump but the bed might be calling. I plan to run, lift, cycle and teach 2 spin classes. Cycling might not happen because someone is supposed to come and look at something in my house late this afternoon. I hope they will be on time so I can ride.
Last night at my spin class, Alex (one of our Special Olympics athletes) came to class. It was great! Alex is one of the most polite kids I know. He always says Yes, Ms. Jen or Yes, Ma'am. How many kids do that? He also is becoming a great cyclist. At practice last week, he had improved 100% from last year. He is smiling almost all the time and is really a joy!
Sunday, I went to officiate a crit in Wake Forest. My friends, John and Justin, went with me. If I had a younger brother, it would probably be Lil Justin. He is a good kid and is a great cyclist. Justin raced twice - once in Juniors and once in Cat 4. Justin was third in Juniors - the first place guy was second in the pro race! Justin did great to hang on to the pack in the Cat 4 race until the last lap where they blew it apart. He came in 13th in a big field. John and I got to hang out under some huge shade trees and not worry about cleaning our respective houses. It was great and it is always fun to see Judy and the other officials. It was a long day...leaving at 5 am and getting home at 8:30 pm. We had fun though and lots of laughs! If Justin had only known had to drive a stick then we could have had margaritas! Dang it! Can you believe people today do not know how to drive a stick?
The plan this week...
Tomorrow-run and teach 2 spin classes.
Thursday- weights, and ride, teach 2 spin classes
Friday-run, teach 1 spin class and Special Olympics Cycling Classes.
Saturday-run, Special Olympics Qualifier, weights
Sunday-ride in Greenville
When is there time for a nap???? Got to schedule these types of things.
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Saturday
Rode with the club today...I fizzled out in the middle but made it the rest of the way. Don't know if I was tired still from Ironman, teaching 7 spin classes this week, lifting weights yesterday, yoga, or I just had a bad day. Stuff happens, I guess. Got 51 miles in.
Tomorrow I will have a day off, sort of. I will be officiating a crit. Luckily, my friend, John, is going with me as I wish I could stay home napping, cleaning and working in the yard. John is way fun!
Next week, 4 days of running, ride a few days (including to work because gas is crazy!), teaching 8 spin classes, three weight workouts, and hopefully yoga one day or two. Staying out of the pool for a little longer. Somehow I should be thinner. Food was pretty good today! Hopefully, I will continue to do so and lose about 10 to 15 pounds before too long. Mostly to fit in my cute capris before Doodle comes home. The other day there was nothing on so I had an infomercial about PX90 on and am tempted to try it. I feel sick of my weight workout and want to try something new. Everything I have read thus far was good. I wonder...
Tomorrow I will have a day off, sort of. I will be officiating a crit. Luckily, my friend, John, is going with me as I wish I could stay home napping, cleaning and working in the yard. John is way fun!
Next week, 4 days of running, ride a few days (including to work because gas is crazy!), teaching 8 spin classes, three weight workouts, and hopefully yoga one day or two. Staying out of the pool for a little longer. Somehow I should be thinner. Food was pretty good today! Hopefully, I will continue to do so and lose about 10 to 15 pounds before too long. Mostly to fit in my cute capris before Doodle comes home. The other day there was nothing on so I had an infomercial about PX90 on and am tempted to try it. I feel sick of my weight workout and want to try something new. Everything I have read thus far was good. I wonder...
Thursday, September 11, 2008
First Bike Ride After Ironman and random thoughts...
So, today, I taught 2 spin classes and went on my first bike ride on the road since Ironman. It wasn't too bad. I felt pretty good! YEAH! Of course, my favorite peeps were there and I was so glad to see them! Tomorrow, teach one spin class, lift, run and yoga with Ginger at 10 am. YEAH!!!
Today, someone told me some exciting news and it really got me to thinking...You see, a little over two years ago I went crazy...okay, not really but it felt like it. But I think it was God's way of getting me to see things differently. I actually thought I was quite happy but really my priorities were really screwed up. For about two years, my life pretty much sucked. I had a terrible attitude and I was just miserable. Oh and I made everyone else miserable too. Sure, I had reasons for this and I could list them but why? Quickly, starting on November 15, 2005, a series of events sent my life into a downward spiral. Honestly, I was not sure I could ever get back to normal (whatever normal is). Slowly, I started to get out of this hole I dug. It took a long time but I realize that I had my priorities all screwed up. One main thing was I put a lot of things in front of my husband...finally, I realized that, while on occasion he makes me NUTS,
he is the person who should be first in my life and not all those other people. He will be here in five years and will the people I put in front of him? Who knows? This downward spiral made me realize that I was not really happy. I also put people in front of my parents and did not appreciate them like I should have. Hey, they are the ultimate professional Ironfans - how could I do that? Now, I do get mad at myself for this but there is nothing I can do about it but apologize and try to do better. Honestly, I have spent a lot of my life angry and comparing myself to others and thinking I was not good enough. The other day on the way to the therapist (I am not crazy, I am just a little unwell), I thought why am I not happy with my life? I have a great life. My Doodle Bug is the person who was meant for me (because no one else would put up with my crap and still love me no matter what). My parents are the best and they support me no matter what (although sometimes I am sure they think I am crazy...). The rest of my family is great too even though I am a mess. I realized that sometimes the people you never think will be there are there no matter what. I have an extended family(who are not actually related to me) who I love and they always take care of me. They never leave me even if I ride at 12 mph and they do not complain. I realized that money is not the best thing because if you are miserable at a job, it costs you waaaaaaaaaaay more then the extra money. Also, I have gotten to go places I never thought I would and do things I never thought I would. Plus, I have the best big fat cat in the world who loves me. Honestly, I realized that God has a path for you and even though you are going through hell, it will be worth it in the end. All the crappy things you go through are done for a reason and it might be to teach you something.
Now, that doesn't mean I do not get disappointed or my expectations are lower. I have a good friend who has recently disappointed me and although I have tried to think of all the excuses I could to make it better, I am still heart broken. Doodle tells me all the time my expectations are too high (the therapist, too). Honestly, I think lowering my expectations is not fair because I think almost all people are good and expecting the best from them will make them want to do their best (including me). However, it does make for some heart breaks but I will take that because I always want to believe people are good. Call me naive or crazy...
So, today think about your priorites and make sure you have them straight. If you are going through hell, remember God has a plan and it will be worth it. Also, remember that life is about the journey and the destination. So enjoy the ride while getting to the destination!
Today, someone told me some exciting news and it really got me to thinking...You see, a little over two years ago I went crazy...okay, not really but it felt like it. But I think it was God's way of getting me to see things differently. I actually thought I was quite happy but really my priorities were really screwed up. For about two years, my life pretty much sucked. I had a terrible attitude and I was just miserable. Oh and I made everyone else miserable too. Sure, I had reasons for this and I could list them but why? Quickly, starting on November 15, 2005, a series of events sent my life into a downward spiral. Honestly, I was not sure I could ever get back to normal (whatever normal is). Slowly, I started to get out of this hole I dug. It took a long time but I realize that I had my priorities all screwed up. One main thing was I put a lot of things in front of my husband...finally, I realized that, while on occasion he makes me NUTS,
he is the person who should be first in my life and not all those other people. He will be here in five years and will the people I put in front of him? Who knows? This downward spiral made me realize that I was not really happy. I also put people in front of my parents and did not appreciate them like I should have. Hey, they are the ultimate professional Ironfans - how could I do that? Now, I do get mad at myself for this but there is nothing I can do about it but apologize and try to do better. Honestly, I have spent a lot of my life angry and comparing myself to others and thinking I was not good enough. The other day on the way to the therapist (I am not crazy, I am just a little unwell), I thought why am I not happy with my life? I have a great life. My Doodle Bug is the person who was meant for me (because no one else would put up with my crap and still love me no matter what). My parents are the best and they support me no matter what (although sometimes I am sure they think I am crazy...). The rest of my family is great too even though I am a mess. I realized that sometimes the people you never think will be there are there no matter what. I have an extended family(who are not actually related to me) who I love and they always take care of me. They never leave me even if I ride at 12 mph and they do not complain. I realized that money is not the best thing because if you are miserable at a job, it costs you waaaaaaaaaaay more then the extra money. Also, I have gotten to go places I never thought I would and do things I never thought I would. Plus, I have the best big fat cat in the world who loves me. Honestly, I realized that God has a path for you and even though you are going through hell, it will be worth it in the end. All the crappy things you go through are done for a reason and it might be to teach you something.
Now, that doesn't mean I do not get disappointed or my expectations are lower. I have a good friend who has recently disappointed me and although I have tried to think of all the excuses I could to make it better, I am still heart broken. Doodle tells me all the time my expectations are too high (the therapist, too). Honestly, I think lowering my expectations is not fair because I think almost all people are good and expecting the best from them will make them want to do their best (including me). However, it does make for some heart breaks but I will take that because I always want to believe people are good. Call me naive or crazy...
So, today think about your priorites and make sure you have them straight. If you are going through hell, remember God has a plan and it will be worth it. Also, remember that life is about the journey and the destination. So enjoy the ride while getting to the destination!
Monday, September 8, 2008
Back to training...Las Vegas here we come!
Today was my first day back to training...a 20 minute run. I sure hope it gets better. It was not great but I know it will get better. I intended to try Body Pump at 5:45 am tomorrow but that is so early so I will go back to lifting tomorrow, running, and cycling. I have to teach 2 spin classes tomorrow. I hope it all goes better than today.Only a few more months to Las Vegas...Viva Las Vegas...
Yesterday, I went to see my friend, Ginger, at a race. It was very fun. She rocked! She placed 3rd woman overall and she rocked! I got to ride with her while she ran some which was so fun! She rocked and was very inspiring! I hope I can swim, bike, and run as fast as she can one day!
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Rest is good...
Today is really my fourth day of rest after Ironman. I did teach 2 spin classes but just spun at very low level. My legs do not hurt when I go up stairs. Thank goodness for the chiropractor and massage therapist. Thankfully, I did lots of yard work today and realized how much I do love yard work. It is very peaceful although I think too much sometimes.
We are supposed to get hit by hurricane Hanna tomorrow. Not sure how that will work out for the ECU game. AARRGGHH!
Monday, I will start running again to get ready for the Las Vegas marathon in December and back to lifting weights. I hope to ride a lot more. I hope to really PR at IM Canada. I think I will do great there but I have to set my mind to it and really work hard! Until January though, I will just ride and run and maybe swim a little. I hope to gain a lot of strength and tone up during the winter by lifting three times a week besides two times a week. I really would like to do some more yoga too. Somehow, I want to lose 10 pounds too.
We are supposed to get hit by hurricane Hanna tomorrow. Not sure how that will work out for the ECU game. AARRGGHH!
Monday, I will start running again to get ready for the Las Vegas marathon in December and back to lifting weights. I hope to ride a lot more. I hope to really PR at IM Canada. I think I will do great there but I have to set my mind to it and really work hard! Until January though, I will just ride and run and maybe swim a little. I hope to gain a lot of strength and tone up during the winter by lifting three times a week besides two times a week. I really would like to do some more yoga too. Somehow, I want to lose 10 pounds too.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Bless his heart...
If you are from the South, you know that you can say almost anything to anyone as long as you say bless your heart. Well, I actually say this a lot and I do not mean it that way. However... today, on my way home I just about got run off the road by an old man from Florida...bless his heart...he probably can't see that well with his bioficals and was trying to get back to the sunny weather of Florida!!!
Reflecting on Ironman...
Swim-Did not like the individual start at all. I felt horrible the whole swim and was just miserable because I wasn't having any fun. I was afraid this would dictate the whole day. On the way out, you swim against the current and since the whole course was not set up during Gatorade swim, it was the first time we actually swam that part of the course. It seemed like forever until I got to the Ford turn buoy. Supposedly, when you made the turn the current was going to carry you in and make your swim time faster...right...the current pushed me alright...right into the shore and I feel like I actually swam about 3 miles. I was so frustrated and all my positive self talk was not helping!!!! I was so thankful to get out of the water. I was disappointed at my time but I got out...I was happy with my transition time though.
Bike-So, I hop on my bike and cannot get clipped in because there is so much mud and crap in my cleats. During the first mile, I try to switch into my big chain ring to take advantage of the flats and I dropped my chain. I could not pedal it back on so I had to get off my bike and put it back on. Then I couldn't get clipped in again. Finally on the road, I got in the groove after about 30 miles. Of course, after that was after the two biggest hills. (Thank goodness for Elizabeth telling me about these). After the out and back and the biggest hills, the wind was in my face and it sucked. Luckily, we went through LaGrange where there was tons of people including my parents so that helped. The second loop was much better. I flew in on the flats and wished I went to Florida where it was flat. I might have pushed a little too hard on the way in.
Slower transition from the bike...The run started out slow. Then I felt better and ran a little faster. I just tried to keep going from aid station to aid station. Thank God for volunteers and lots of water, gatorade and pretzels. I got through it although slow but I ran much better than Arizona. I did not want to stop at the last aid station but my legs were a little shaky and I knew I needed food. After a gel, water and a short walk, I ran it in slowly and finished 14:47:37. It wasn't a PR but it was a good day. Of course, I always think I could have done better during the day but I did the best I could at the time and that is all I can do.
Today, my quads are sore (which is not fun when trying to get to the restroom on a 10 hour road trip) but I have a massage tomorrow and am going to the chiropractor. A few more days off then back to training for the marathon with Doodle in Las Vegas. I hope I can lose some weight and get ready for a PR in Las Vegas. Then get fired up to go to Canada and hope for a PR there.
Reflecting on Ironman...
Swim-Did not like the individual start at all. I felt horrible the whole swim and was just miserable because I wasn't having any fun. I was afraid this would dictate the whole day. On the way out, you swim against the current and since the whole course was not set up during Gatorade swim, it was the first time we actually swam that part of the course. It seemed like forever until I got to the Ford turn buoy. Supposedly, when you made the turn the current was going to carry you in and make your swim time faster...right...the current pushed me alright...right into the shore and I feel like I actually swam about 3 miles. I was so frustrated and all my positive self talk was not helping!!!! I was so thankful to get out of the water. I was disappointed at my time but I got out...I was happy with my transition time though.
Bike-So, I hop on my bike and cannot get clipped in because there is so much mud and crap in my cleats. During the first mile, I try to switch into my big chain ring to take advantage of the flats and I dropped my chain. I could not pedal it back on so I had to get off my bike and put it back on. Then I couldn't get clipped in again. Finally on the road, I got in the groove after about 30 miles. Of course, after that was after the two biggest hills. (Thank goodness for Elizabeth telling me about these). After the out and back and the biggest hills, the wind was in my face and it sucked. Luckily, we went through LaGrange where there was tons of people including my parents so that helped. The second loop was much better. I flew in on the flats and wished I went to Florida where it was flat. I might have pushed a little too hard on the way in.
Slower transition from the bike...The run started out slow. Then I felt better and ran a little faster. I just tried to keep going from aid station to aid station. Thank God for volunteers and lots of water, gatorade and pretzels. I got through it although slow but I ran much better than Arizona. I did not want to stop at the last aid station but my legs were a little shaky and I knew I needed food. After a gel, water and a short walk, I ran it in slowly and finished 14:47:37. It wasn't a PR but it was a good day. Of course, I always think I could have done better during the day but I did the best I could at the time and that is all I can do.
Today, my quads are sore (which is not fun when trying to get to the restroom on a 10 hour road trip) but I have a massage tomorrow and am going to the chiropractor. A few more days off then back to training for the marathon with Doodle in Las Vegas. I hope I can lose some weight and get ready for a PR in Las Vegas. Then get fired up to go to Canada and hope for a PR there.
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