Dieting on New Year's Day isn't a good idea as you can't eat rationally but really need to be free to consume whatever is necessary, moment by moment, in order to ease your hangover. I think it would be much more sensible if resolutions began generally on January the second. -- Helen Fielding
I could not agree more. This holiday season has involved way too much sugar, way too much booze, and way too much in general. I've kept up my training - heck, I love my new speed/cadence sensor so much that I did 2 hours on my trainer this morning. Weird - it was even fun! But it's nearly time to start dialing it back and getting with the program. Back to healthier eating. Back to training consistently and with purpose - my HIM plan starts January 6!!! (It was supposed to start January 12, but I moved it up a week so I can "take off" a week when we're on vacation.) So when does all this goodness start? January 2nd - I say, as I sit here drinking spiked egg nog! Happy Holidays!
Sunday, December 29, 2013
Thursday, December 26, 2013
I've Got the (virtual) Power (meter)!
The less effort, the faster and more powerful you will be. -- Bruce Lee
Or as the German electronica band Snap! says..."I've got the power!"
For Christmas, I got the Sodastream machine that I had wanted. I don't know if I've ever drunk as much water in one day as I did yesterday. I'm sure the novelty will wear off, but it's so nice to just bubble water whenever I want it.
The family also surprised me with a Riiiide speed/cadence sensor to use on my bike when I'm on the trainer.
It was a real beast to get it set up properly - my pedals were screwed on very tightly, so we couldn't get the one off to put the cadence magnet on the crank. Then we couldn't get the magnets to line up with the sensor. Eh. Thankfully hubby and father-in-law were doing it, because it was just ticking me off.
Or as the German electronica band Snap! says..."I've got the power!"
For Christmas, I got the Sodastream machine that I had wanted. I don't know if I've ever drunk as much water in one day as I did yesterday. I'm sure the novelty will wear off, but it's so nice to just bubble water whenever I want it.
The family also surprised me with a Riiiide speed/cadence sensor to use on my bike when I'm on the trainer.
 |
| Photo: 4iiii |
It was a real beast to get it set up properly - my pedals were screwed on very tightly, so we couldn't get the one off to put the cadence magnet on the crank. Then we couldn't get the magnets to line up with the sensor. Eh. Thankfully hubby and father-in-law were doing it, because it was just ticking me off.
After they got it set up, I signed up for TrainerRoad - a program that takes data from ANT+ heart rate and speed/cadence sensors to calculate virtual power, which it uses to adjust your workout and encourage you to train at certain levels. I'm hoping this will help get my biking back up to snuff, since I've neglected it this fall. I did the FTP (functional threshold power) test program to set my training zones, but I hadn't set the program up quite right, so I only had heart rate, not virtual power. I tried to calculate my virtual power using some formulas on line, but then I tried another workout today and the recommended power targets seemed way off, so I need to do the FTP test again (with the right buttons clicked) so I can get measured power zones. Kinda sucks, 'cause the FTP test is hard - it's supposed to be - but to get the most out of TrainerRoad, I figured I should have the best numbers. And then I can get to work on being a more powerful biker - faster, with less effort.
Monday, December 23, 2013
Mele Kalikimaka
No person has the right to rain on your dreams. -- Marian Wright Edelman
Sometimes you get Christmas in July. Other times you get July in Christmas. Yesterday the temps were forecast to be in the mid-to-high 70s...a far cry from the normal temps in the low 50s. I could hardly wait for the weekend so I could do my long run - 16 miles. And then it rained. Severe thunderstorms were advised. I got all psyched up (or perhaps psychotic) thinking I would do my 16 miles at the Y to avoid the storms. Yes, three hours on a treadmill - why not? Filled my water bottles, got my towels, etc., but when I went out to the car to drive to the Y, it wasn't raining at all. Rather than go criminally insane, I came back in, filled my camelbak and got ready to run outside.
I headed out and the first 10 miles were lovely. A light drizzle here and there, but on occasion the sun even showed through the clouds. It was so pleasant. And then. And then the rains came. Six more miles and it was pouring. Well, I couldn't stop then - so I kept running. I would like to tell you that running in warm December rain is refreshing, but it isn't. It is just plain soggy and no fun. But it was much better than running inside for 3 hours and besides, I feel kind of like a bad-ass for sticking it out and running in that. That's the whole point of long runs, right?
Mele Kalikimaka is Hawaii's way to say Merry Christmas to You. Yesterday wasn't quite Hawaiian weather and it wasn't exactly July in Christmas, but it was (at least for 10 miles) a nice little treat for a winter's run.
Sometimes you get Christmas in July. Other times you get July in Christmas. Yesterday the temps were forecast to be in the mid-to-high 70s...a far cry from the normal temps in the low 50s. I could hardly wait for the weekend so I could do my long run - 16 miles. And then it rained. Severe thunderstorms were advised. I got all psyched up (or perhaps psychotic) thinking I would do my 16 miles at the Y to avoid the storms. Yes, three hours on a treadmill - why not? Filled my water bottles, got my towels, etc., but when I went out to the car to drive to the Y, it wasn't raining at all. Rather than go criminally insane, I came back in, filled my camelbak and got ready to run outside.
I headed out and the first 10 miles were lovely. A light drizzle here and there, but on occasion the sun even showed through the clouds. It was so pleasant. And then. And then the rains came. Six more miles and it was pouring. Well, I couldn't stop then - so I kept running. I would like to tell you that running in warm December rain is refreshing, but it isn't. It is just plain soggy and no fun. But it was much better than running inside for 3 hours and besides, I feel kind of like a bad-ass for sticking it out and running in that. That's the whole point of long runs, right?
Mele Kalikimaka is Hawaii's way to say Merry Christmas to You. Yesterday wasn't quite Hawaiian weather and it wasn't exactly July in Christmas, but it was (at least for 10 miles) a nice little treat for a winter's run.
Friday, December 20, 2013
Dear Santa...
Believe in love. Believe in magic. Hell, believe in Santa Claus. Believe in others. Believe in yourself. Believe in your dreams. If you don't, who will? -- Jon Bon Jovi
So, what does a triathlete ask for for Christmas? I'm not into clothes. I don't like jewelry - unless it's tri or running related. I don't like perfume - at all. I buy myself most of what I want...because the list isn't that long. But come Christmas time, I'm required by the Big Man (that would be my husband) and the other Big Man (Santa) to cough up a list of things I would like to get that don't require me to try them on. So what did I ask for this year?
From Big Man #1 - (and if you're reading this, hubby, the pictures are just illustrative...in case you bought something else...)
I asked for a Soda Stream. I've kicked (mostly) the Diet Pepsi habit, but I still don't like the taste of water, so I'm obsessed with sparkling water. Club soda. Seltzer. Whatever you wish to call it. It would seem to be a simpler process if I could just bubble it myself.
I also asked for a swimming snorkel. At Masters, on occasion, they do pull drills with snorkel and I have no snorkel.
Finally I asked for a gift card to Lululemon - not because I plan on buying see-through yoga pants...but because they make a ton of tops that have thumbholes and you know I'm obsessed with that.
So, what about from Big Man #2???
More calf sleeves. Salted Caramel Gu. Adjustable swim goggle cords. Pistachios. Yeah, I'm pretty wild.
And my Christmas present for you? Jon Bon Jovi. In a Santa hat.
So, what does a triathlete ask for for Christmas? I'm not into clothes. I don't like jewelry - unless it's tri or running related. I don't like perfume - at all. I buy myself most of what I want...because the list isn't that long. But come Christmas time, I'm required by the Big Man (that would be my husband) and the other Big Man (Santa) to cough up a list of things I would like to get that don't require me to try them on. So what did I ask for this year?
From Big Man #1 - (and if you're reading this, hubby, the pictures are just illustrative...in case you bought something else...)
I asked for a Soda Stream. I've kicked (mostly) the Diet Pepsi habit, but I still don't like the taste of water, so I'm obsessed with sparkling water. Club soda. Seltzer. Whatever you wish to call it. It would seem to be a simpler process if I could just bubble it myself.
 |
| Photo: Amazon |
 |
| Photo: SwimOutlet |
 |
| Photo: Lululemon |
So, what about from Big Man #2???
More calf sleeves. Salted Caramel Gu. Adjustable swim goggle cords. Pistachios. Yeah, I'm pretty wild.
 |
| Photo: Gu Energy Gel |
And my Christmas present for you? Jon Bon Jovi. In a Santa hat.
Tuesday, December 17, 2013
True Grit
Over time, grit is what separates fruitful lives from aimlessness -- John Ortberg
So I've been thinking a lot about grit the last few days. Not True Grit the movie, although the 2010 remake wasn't so bad if you can get over Matt Damon as a Texas Ranger. I did like Hailee Steinfeld as the little girl lead. I never saw the 1968 version, so I got nothing there.
Anyway, apparently what sets high achievers apart from other folks is grit - at least so says this article, and I'm inclined to believe it. The article defines grit as "the disposition to pursue very long-term goals with passion and perseverance, sustained over time." I definitely need to dig down to my inner grit...while my word of the year for 2013 was STRIVE, I think my year of the word for 2014 will be GRIT.
Sometimes I do things that exhibit some grit. Like last week, after I whined about running in the cold, I actually got up, got bundled, and ran 6 miles in sub-30 degree temps at 5 am. Here's a picture of me being awesome. There's four layers of shirt under that reflector vest, 2 layers of pants plus my calf sleeves - not because I was worried about my calves, but rather to add an extra layer of warm. The part of me that got cold was the half inch between the bottom of my running pants and the top of my socks. Oops.
Other times, I feel a little less gritty. Like today. I had a 14-mile run on the schedule. I did awesome through 10 miles, pretty good through 13, and then I just blew it the last mile. No passion or perseverance there, no sir. I realize I can't be perfect all the time, but I was a little disappointed to finish what started as a really good run so poorly. At least mentally - the Garmin actually doesn't bear out how I felt about the end.
The other deal with grit is how to instill it in our kids. The article is also about whether you can make someone grittier. I ran a 5K with my younger daughter this past weekend - she took 4 minutes off her previous PR and she got 3rd place in her age group. As we ran together, I talked to her like I talk to myself in my head, about persevering, about having fun, about striving, etc. Dig deep. Charge the hill. There's only 0.5 mile left - you can do anything for 5 minutes, right? I don't know whether that will help her with grit, but it definitely works for me. I just need to remember to have those talks with myself, too.
As a last bit of mommy brag - here she is getting her award! Yeah, kid!
So I've been thinking a lot about grit the last few days. Not True Grit the movie, although the 2010 remake wasn't so bad if you can get over Matt Damon as a Texas Ranger. I did like Hailee Steinfeld as the little girl lead. I never saw the 1968 version, so I got nothing there.
Anyway, apparently what sets high achievers apart from other folks is grit - at least so says this article, and I'm inclined to believe it. The article defines grit as "the disposition to pursue very long-term goals with passion and perseverance, sustained over time." I definitely need to dig down to my inner grit...while my word of the year for 2013 was STRIVE, I think my year of the word for 2014 will be GRIT.
Sometimes I do things that exhibit some grit. Like last week, after I whined about running in the cold, I actually got up, got bundled, and ran 6 miles in sub-30 degree temps at 5 am. Here's a picture of me being awesome. There's four layers of shirt under that reflector vest, 2 layers of pants plus my calf sleeves - not because I was worried about my calves, but rather to add an extra layer of warm. The part of me that got cold was the half inch between the bottom of my running pants and the top of my socks. Oops.
The other deal with grit is how to instill it in our kids. The article is also about whether you can make someone grittier. I ran a 5K with my younger daughter this past weekend - she took 4 minutes off her previous PR and she got 3rd place in her age group. As we ran together, I talked to her like I talk to myself in my head, about persevering, about having fun, about striving, etc. Dig deep. Charge the hill. There's only 0.5 mile left - you can do anything for 5 minutes, right? I don't know whether that will help her with grit, but it definitely works for me. I just need to remember to have those talks with myself, too.
As a last bit of mommy brag - here she is getting her award! Yeah, kid!
Saturday, December 14, 2013
2014 Race Plans
Without leaps of imagination, or dreaming, we lose the excitement of possibilities. Dreaming, after all, is a form of planning. -- Gloria Steinem
So we've been rounding out our race schedules for 2014 and I think I'm pretty set (and also pretty much registered). It looks like a good, and challenging, year. Here's what's on deck:
January 19 - Frostbite 15K run (registered)
March 16 - Shamrock Marathon run (registered)
April 26 - RTC Sprint tri (registered)
June 1 - Raleigh 70.3 (registered)
July 12 - Muncie 70.3 (registered)
August 24 - IM Louisville (registering soon)
October 4 or 5 - either Crawlin' Crab 1/2 Marathon run or POW 2.4 Mile swim (gotta decide...)
I might throw a couple of shorter runs in here or there, and I'd like to do some of mile swims through my Masters group if they fit. Otherwise, I think this will keep me plenty busy. The excitement of possibilities abounds.
So we've been rounding out our race schedules for 2014 and I think I'm pretty set (and also pretty much registered). It looks like a good, and challenging, year. Here's what's on deck:
January 19 - Frostbite 15K run (registered)
March 16 - Shamrock Marathon run (registered)
April 26 - RTC Sprint tri (registered)
June 1 - Raleigh 70.3 (registered)
July 12 - Muncie 70.3 (registered)
August 24 - IM Louisville (registering soon)
October 4 or 5 - either Crawlin' Crab 1/2 Marathon run or POW 2.4 Mile swim (gotta decide...)
I might throw a couple of shorter runs in here or there, and I'd like to do some of mile swims through my Masters group if they fit. Otherwise, I think this will keep me plenty busy. The excitement of possibilities abounds.
Tuesday, December 10, 2013
Brrrrrr
I enjoy hiking and skiing, like most Norwegians. In winter, there will be snow for months on end. In the summer, there are the long evenings to enjoy. -- Magnus Carlsen
It seems to me that I have traded in most of my proud Norwegian, hearty Midwestern blood for thin Southerner blood. It is SOOOO cold - and it really hasn't gotten cold yet! OK, so I never learned to ski, but I never minded being outside in the cold. As a kid, we'd be out playing in the snow for hours. Now, after being in Virginia for seven years, I have turned into a complete pansy when it comes to being cold. And freezing rain/sleet/snow? Forget about it - I'm not going out in that stuff...which is why today's 6 mile run will be done on the treadmill at the YMCA. Not the most fun idea I've had, but since it's currently in the mid-30s and raining, with the temperature dropping and snow expected - well, I'm not running outside.
Good for my husband, though - he finished his first half-marathon ever in crummy weather on Sunday morning! And he rocked the time. Go, husband! (Despite growing up in Michigan, he's also gotten very puny when it comes to cold weather...but better him running this past Sunday than me.)
It seems to me that I have traded in most of my proud Norwegian, hearty Midwestern blood for thin Southerner blood. It is SOOOO cold - and it really hasn't gotten cold yet! OK, so I never learned to ski, but I never minded being outside in the cold. As a kid, we'd be out playing in the snow for hours. Now, after being in Virginia for seven years, I have turned into a complete pansy when it comes to being cold. And freezing rain/sleet/snow? Forget about it - I'm not going out in that stuff...which is why today's 6 mile run will be done on the treadmill at the YMCA. Not the most fun idea I've had, but since it's currently in the mid-30s and raining, with the temperature dropping and snow expected - well, I'm not running outside.
Good for my husband, though - he finished his first half-marathon ever in crummy weather on Sunday morning! And he rocked the time. Go, husband! (Despite growing up in Michigan, he's also gotten very puny when it comes to cold weather...but better him running this past Sunday than me.)
Friday, December 6, 2013
It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas
Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful. -- Norman Vincent Peale
Yesterday it was in the high-60's here...unseasonably warm, which is awesome. (There is, however, snow/freezing rain in the forecast for Sunday, but let's pretend that isn't real for a little bit.) Hubby was able to take the little one to her triathlon training, so I was able to run from home through the nearby neighborhoods. I got in a really nice 6-mile run while checking out the early Christmas lights. Between the nice weather and the pretty sites, I had a fantabulous run. Yes, that is a real word. For serious.
I love Christmas. I love Christmas lights. I love the smell of real trees (even if I hate the mess and I have a heck of a time keeping the darn thing alive for 3 weeks). I love surprising people with presents. I love Christmas cookies...but I'm trying to avoid them this year. I love our Elf on the Shelf. I love love love Christmas. But it's hard, because it's always at a crazy time of year for my job and so it often seems like I'm more cranky than happy about it. In law school I remember having to shop for presents on Christmas Eve because I was too busy before then - it's not quite that bad now...but close. But if I remember to push aside the crazy and enjoy the season (not to mention the Reason for the Season), it's the most wonderful time of the year. And getting to run and look at the Christmas lights last night gave me a chance to see the world as a softer and more beautiful place.
Yesterday it was in the high-60's here...unseasonably warm, which is awesome. (There is, however, snow/freezing rain in the forecast for Sunday, but let's pretend that isn't real for a little bit.) Hubby was able to take the little one to her triathlon training, so I was able to run from home through the nearby neighborhoods. I got in a really nice 6-mile run while checking out the early Christmas lights. Between the nice weather and the pretty sites, I had a fantabulous run. Yes, that is a real word. For serious.
I love Christmas. I love Christmas lights. I love the smell of real trees (even if I hate the mess and I have a heck of a time keeping the darn thing alive for 3 weeks). I love surprising people with presents. I love Christmas cookies...but I'm trying to avoid them this year. I love our Elf on the Shelf. I love love love Christmas. But it's hard, because it's always at a crazy time of year for my job and so it often seems like I'm more cranky than happy about it. In law school I remember having to shop for presents on Christmas Eve because I was too busy before then - it's not quite that bad now...but close. But if I remember to push aside the crazy and enjoy the season (not to mention the Reason for the Season), it's the most wonderful time of the year. And getting to run and look at the Christmas lights last night gave me a chance to see the world as a softer and more beautiful place.
Tuesday, December 3, 2013
Cram Time
When it's finals week and you've been studying for five hours straight, you need three things to get you through the night. The biggest Slurpee you can find - half cherry, half Coke. Pajama pants, the kind that have been washed so many times they are tissue-paper thin. And finally, dance breaks. Lots of dance breaks. -- Jenny Han
Everyone knows that the last few weeks of a semester for a college student are sheer craziness. What most people don't realize is that it is just as nuts for professors...and our insanity doesn't stop when finals are over, because then we get to grade. Not complaining, I love my job - really, it's the best job in the world. But my blogging is suffering due to my real life. :)
I'm not going to resort to the Slurpee, because 1) Slurpees are nasty and 2) I'm kind of trying to stay away from the processed, refined, and blue-tinted sugar, but it is highly likely that I will be wearing pajama pants while I engage in frequent dance breaks.
Everyone knows that the last few weeks of a semester for a college student are sheer craziness. What most people don't realize is that it is just as nuts for professors...and our insanity doesn't stop when finals are over, because then we get to grade. Not complaining, I love my job - really, it's the best job in the world. But my blogging is suffering due to my real life. :)
I'm not going to resort to the Slurpee, because 1) Slurpees are nasty and 2) I'm kind of trying to stay away from the processed, refined, and blue-tinted sugar, but it is highly likely that I will be wearing pajama pants while I engage in frequent dance breaks.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)