ABC's of Me!

Instead of having to think about a post to write I figured I would follow a few bloggers and post an ABC's of me. Random tidbits from moi~


A. Age: 37
B. Bed size: California King
C. Chore you dislike: NONE-
D. Dogs: Chloe Yellow Lab 9 years
E. Essential start to your day: Coffee
F. Favorite color: Pink
G. Gold or silver: Silver
H. Height: 5’5”
I. Instruments you play(ed): Flute- Really wanted to be in band in lower school played flute 3 years, made parents buy me one. Decided hated band.
J. Job title: Staff Accountant/President of our firm
K. Kids: NONE
L. Live: Seaside/Monterey CA for people that don't know where that is think Carmel,CA everyone knows where that is!
M. Mom’s name: Marsha
N. Nicknames: Mare, Champion, Chick
O. Overnight hospital stays: One
P. Pet peeves: Bad spellers, People who drive in a hurry, People training with who have to "race"
Q. Quote from a movie: Yippee-ki-yay, motherf*****- DIE HARD. Fav movie of all time.
S. Siblings: Matt (38)
T. Time you wake up: 3:50am
U. Underwear: Patagonia thongs-comfy
V. Vegetables you dont’ like: Don't know of one I don't like
W. What makes you run late: Poor planning
X. X-rays you’ve had: Teeth, multiple times. Wrist, several times. Ankle/Leg x 9 from nightmare, hand broken, fingers broken
Y. Yummy food you make: Don't really cook
Z. Zoo animal favorites: Tigers

Little Bits of Randomness

The past week has been full of ups and downs. Trying some new things, sticking with some old ones and a mixed bag in between. A whole heck of a lot of randomness.

- I have not eaten red meat in 21 years. It has been suggested to try to reintroduce into my palate for some health reasons but has been a work in progress. For the last six weeks I stand at the counter and just can't do it. Two weeks ago I bought my first grass fed organic steak. Bill bbq'ed it up and I gave it to the dog(It was almost her birthday!) Last week I tried again and had two small bites. Could do no more. This week I just skipped the whole meat department and stuck to fish. Does that count as progress?

- I ran with a faster paced peeps for my longish run and felt awesome.The.Whole.Time. Progress? Yes!
Thank you recovery e 21. I.Love.The.Stuff. It really makes a difference.

-Everyone has today off and has posted their awesome plans. (in some cases the whole week?)In my line of work the next holiday is Memorial Day, that's right 98 days away, but I will take it.

-Recovery/compression socks really work and not just for people with steel in their bones. Bought the zoot compression tights months ago and still not a fan.

-On my quest to become a swimmer in the last year, the whole band, paddles and no bouy has been a work in progress. Last Friday I successfully did 10x200 on a decent interval sans bouy. Voila` I'm becoming a swimmer.

-I opened TP this morning to see what was in store for the next couple days and I don't know about you but I like to see things like volume, sweet spots, threshold and I didn't see it. Coachie coach- do I really have to take it easier this week?It's not a rest week as I know how we all really feel about those but def. a reduction in volume.

-I finally figured out my goals for my races this year. But I will save that for a different day :)

Good day!

Second 10K race today (yes pretty run, boo on time!)

A big thank you to my girls for today! You know who you are! Anyone that knows me, knows I like to leave to train before the sun comes up. 5am and me are buds. So when the girls asked what time I was riding today, an 11am answer was least expected. Even for the wind and traffic, it was worth it. We had not a care in the world other than to ride for a long time.How does that saying go? Take your lemons and make them lemonade? Well that is what I did today. I started with a 10K race. I have been really working on my running. Working on form, limiters and turnover. Pre injury (T- 5years ago) I was a swift runner. For the last 5 years I have just been a triathlete. Not worrying to much about my running, sort of just doing it as it was one of the three sports. But over the last year I have made progress and have really wanted to have a truly successful Ironman marathon. That is my end all goal for this year. There I said it. But more on that later.

In retrospect (at least my thinking tonight!) I had a great 10K today. I ran strong and kept my pace in check. Not a PR but I guess there are worse things. Of course those were not my happy go lucky thoughts earlier! But when that run was over all I could do was rip off my number and tell Bill to pick me up closer to home. I was pissed! I needed to just run free and clear with no cares. When he picked me up a little while later, I was better. Then of course I had a great time with my girls and the day was complete.
But tonight it got me thinking. Do we sometimes set our expectations too high just so we will fail so there is something to work towards, like a tangible goal or do we not set the bar high enough to really want to go for it. Sometimes I fall prey to those silly times I pick for myself. But whether I fall short or do really well does it really matter in the grand scheme of things? I will still get up and do what I do and the sun will still rise and set. Nothing will change. Does that self doubt sabotage you sometimes? How do you manage it?

Ready.

I am so ready for the weekend. Bring it. And bring with it some speed. The focus of the weekend is a 10K run test. All bets are on! But wait. Let's do it on really tired legs and see how it goes. OK? How about some e21. Maybe the legs will show up to play? Here is to continual sunshine, 70 degrees and a few naps -
Enjoy your weekend too.

Oh yeah before I forget. What kind of saddle do you all ride? I am interested!!! I just spent some bling for an ISM Adamo and it is being sent back as fast as it came!

What's yours?

Every day I wake up in the dark, start my 1st session and then go to work. My recovery consists of a 9hr window of seeing clients, running around, trying to balance budgets and answer questions. Don't get me wrong- I am not complaining. I love my job and wouldn't want it any other way-EVER.
If I have another workout to do, that happens after work in that window where you would most likely be rather chillin on the couch then nailing some interval somewhere. But like you, I really thrive on pushing myself and seeing how far, fast, better, stronger, fitter, I can get and never pass up the opportunity to give it another go.
My recovery isn't optimal but it is what it is. And I'm not complaining.
What is yours?

Doing the Work

It is really quite simple. You do the work and you see the results. As I have heard before, progress is a drug. It is a really good drug. This weekend was slated as recovery but turned into an awesome weekend of training both weather wise and training wise. How many people have 75 degree temps and clear blue skies both weekend days? (and live on the beach but I won't rub that in right now)I took full advantage of both with awesome people and am feeling fine! Here is to another great week in the books and some cha ching in the bank!

Jumping on the bandwagon

It is hard not to jump on the bandwagon when it comes to posting data. I love data. I love keeping track of data and I love figuring out where I have been and where I want to go. That being said here is my first month of 2011:
JANUARY
Swim: 43,310 yards

Bike: 721 miles

Run: 117 miles

TRX: 7.5 hours

I think I am at right where I want to be this time of year. This is going to be a long year :)
I am excited to see where I was versus last year. The gains are HUGE. It is very true what is said about training and adaptation. Its not that it gets easier, your body just adapts. So what seemed like a lot/ hard before becomes just what you do. Heres to February! (And getting that much closer to April 15th)