Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Ironman 70.3 Rhode Island
I look forward to see if anyone out there in Blogger land will sign up for this race. Feel free to drop me an email if anyone has any questions about where to stay, go to eat....
Anyways, today was a busy day. Went and got my flu shot today. Then went out for a 3 mile run. Not a very exciting day. At least Kim and the kids were home today.
Have a good night everyone!
Monday, October 29, 2007
WORLD CHAMPION BOSTON RED SOX
So I spent the most of the weekend in my bed. Friday I came down with some sort of virus and by 9:00 friday night I had a 101.5 temp and felt dizzy any time I would stand up. By Saturday I still had a fever and was very weak. I can't remember the last time I felt like this. I don't get sick very often, maybe once a year if that. By Sunday morning I was feeling much better and my fever was gone. Still, I didn't push it and basically stayed home and did nothing except watch football and play with the kids. Go PATRIOTS!!!
Today I was so busy there was no time to get any workouts in. I really wanted to at least get a run I, but I figured it wouldn't hurt to give myself an extra day of rest. Brady had his first dentist appointment today. He did an awesome job. Kim and I were thinking that he would maybe sit in the chair and have the dentist count his teeth and that would be it. Nope, he sat in the chair for an entire cleaning. I was so proud of him. He got a toy and a new Shrek tooth brush. Good job Brady!!!
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Weekend Recovery and Then Some
As for the weekend, I had a lot of fun. Saturday night Kim and I attended a dinner party over a friend’s house. We have a core group of friends that get together every 6 weeks or so and we all take turns holding the dinner party at each other’s house. So for this party Kim and I made stuffed artichokes and some type of spinach and orzo dish. I hate spinach and don’t care of artichokes either so I guess Kim made both dishes. The hosts, Tara and Randy, made tenderloin and served some sort of Cosmos which were really good and the other couple, Mary and Jeremy, brought over a cheese spread with bread crisps and smashed potatoes. The hosts invited another couple who were their neighbors, but they didn’t bring anything to eat. During dinner we were invaded by more neighbors who brought along the lady’s sisters from Scotland. The night just got crazy from there. The dinner party turned into a drinking party. We played drinking Jenga and ended the night with a well played game of Asshole. But the best part of the night is watching the Red Sox take game 6 of the ALCS. Got home at 1:00AM. Fun night.
The next day I woke up at 6:15AM so I can meet Jeremy at his house so that we can drive down to New Jersey to see the Giants vs. the 49ers football game. I am not a fan of either team but I never been to a professional football game. I was a little hung over from the night before but not too bad. Tailgating was great. We had steak tips and hot wings. I couldn’t fathom drinking a beer so I just drank water and sodas. It was a great game. Giants kicked the 49ers ass. But I really enjoyed watching the out of town score board where I saw the Patriots dominate over Miami. After the long drive home I tried to stay up and watch the Game 7 of the ALCS, but just couldn’t keep my eyes open. I woke up the next morning and the Sox won the game and are now heading to the World Series!
GO SOX.
On Monday I started to get back into the swing of things. I went out for a short 3.2 mile run and then hit the pool. A couple of laps into my swim I lost my left eye contact. Oh man what do I do, keep going and chance losing the other one or just get out now while I still have one good eye. I decided to get out. I didn’t want to risk losing the other one and driving home.
Today I planned a 1.5 hour bike ride but chickened out when I saw that it was very windy outside. So I just went to the Y and cranked out 4 miles on the Elliptical, a couple of circuits on the Nautilus equipment and swam 500 meters (I brought an extra pair of contacts with me today, just in case). Depending on the weather I will try and get in the bike ride from today. If not I will hit the Y again.
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Thursday, October 18
Tomorrow I have a scheduled 1 hour bike, 500 meter swim and circuit training. hopefully I will be able to do all of it without falling asleep. I can't wait for the weekend.
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Swim, Bike, Circuit Train
I created a new training schedule for myself that last through the end of the month. The schedule focuses on swimming, running, biking and circuit training. For today I have a 60 min bike followed by 450 meters in the pool and a circuit on the nautilus machines. So I stuff all my gear into my backpack and rode to the Y to drop off my stuff in the locker. Then I continued my ride through town and onto the bike path. I was going to ride back to the Y but I decided to ride home instead and drive back to the Y. Bike ride – 13.3 miles in 56 min.
I open my locker and pull out my shorts and towel from my back pack, but I couldn’t find my goggles. I must have not put them in the bag. So I just decided to do the swim without them. I get in the pool and just floated around for a few minutes and decided to drive home and get my goggles. Out of the pool, dry off, throw some shorts on, drive home, find the goggles, drive back, put on cold wet shorts and then back in the pool. After a few stretches I was off and swimming. Today for some reason everything clicked. I had my best swim by far today. Breathing just came naturally with every 3rd stroke. At the time there were only 2 lap lanes open and I did a few laps by myself and then a lady came into my lane and asked if she can join me. I said sure but watch out, I was a beginner. She laughed and said no problem. So after a few more laps, I was leaning against the wall catching my breath and the lady came up to me and said, “Don’t tell anyone you’re a beginner, you don’t look like it.” That made my day. I was really excited that she said that. 3 weeks of practicing has started to pay off. Swim – 450 meters in 30 mins.
After the swim I jumped on the nautilus machines for 30 mins and then home for some lunch. Great workout day. Tomorrow I have just a 4 mile run schedule, but I might squeeze in a swim. But it all depends on the time, I need to mow the lawn, priorities.
Monday, October 15, 2007
Weekend Report
Sunday was a normal Sunday. We went to the Fantastic Umbella FActory in Charlestown and met up with some friends. Just to clarify there are no Umbellas at the place, just a few little shops and some farm animals for the kids. Besides the animals, the best thing about the place is store that has penny candy. Even though they are running alittle low since it is the end of the tourist season, there was plenty for us to grab. After that we went home and Kim started on her homemade sauce and I defrosted some chopped meat for meatballs. 4:00 came around and we all watched the Patriots defeat the Cowboys (very happy about that). My mother came over and had some pasta with us and stayed the night. She goes back to Florida on Tuesday.
Today I went to the Y after Brady's 3 year check up. I had a good swim workout. It seems to be getting easier, but still struggle with the breathing. Just need more practice. After that I did a circuit on the Nautilus equipment. I was going to hit the bike path for a 3 mile run, but I was convinced by my mother to have lunch with her. She put on the guilt trip about her leaving tomorrow and stuff, so I couldn't say no.
Tomorrow will have to be my off day since I have to work 1st shift and will have the kids at night while Kim goes away for business. I might try to see if the kids want to go to the Y, but Reese doesn't like going to the daycare they have. Brady could care less, but Reese just doesn't like it for some reason. Oh well.
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Rain Rain Go Away!
Ok, I planned on taking a 4 mile run today but after I looked outside and saw the rain, I went to the Y and ran on the treadmill. My ankle felt really good for the 3 miles. So I was thinking that on Saturday I will be going for a 5 mile run. Also I jumped on the Elliptical for a quick 2 miles before I hit the pool. Thursdays are great for the pool. It is really quiet and I had a full lane to myself. During my swim today I felt like I have made great progress in the past weeks with my breathing. I felt more comfortable in the pool today then I ever have. I did notice that once I get tired and I lose focus and start breathing heavy and start losing my form. So I just flipped over onto my back and kept moving until my breathing slows down and then I would start over again. I guess this is all normal for a beginner. Good thing is that I have all winter and spring to improve and bring it to the next level.
Tomorrow will be a busy day. I bring my son to the Dr's office for a check up, then hit the Y and after that go out to lunch with my mom who is up from Florida. I'll need to be mindful of what I eat for lunch tomorrow. I have lost 2lbs already for this challenge and I don't need to take any steps backwards.
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
TTW Off-Season Shape-Up Challenge
Here are my stats as of October 09, 2007:
- Weight: 234.5lbs (gained a little over the past few months)
- Body Fat %: 18.79% (Rough Estimate. I will obtain a better measurement shortly)
- Goal: Lose 34.5 lbs by January 1, 2008 (Even 200lbs sounds good!)
I will be using this challenge to not only lose weight, but to get myself into better shape for the upcoming race season. Winter time is not the time to be slacking. Just becuase it gets darker earlier in the day and the temp drops below 40 degrees does not warrant a trip to McDonalds or Taco Bell. If anyone else is interested click on the link above and COMMIT.
As for the St. Francis 5K, it was a great race and was very happy to set a PR. Halfway thru the race I didn't think I was going to PR since my ankle started to hurt and I walked for 30secs. But some how I pulled it off. I got a huge boost during the race when I saw Kim, Brady and Reese at the top of one of the hills with a cup of cold water. Brady ran out and gave it to me. The water was ice cold and seeing my family there gave me that little extra energy needed to finish the race. After the race, the church had apple crisp for everyone and lots of prizes to hand out from local resturants and stores. It was a great event and will definately add it to my race calendar next year.
My ankle is feeling better. I have not been running lately becuase I want to give it a few more days. I did run on the treadmill at the Y yesterday for 2 miles and it felt fine. Maybe tomorrow I will run 3 miles on the bike path and see how it is. I don't want to push it. Running is a big factor on my weight loss.
Good luck to everyone in the challenge!!!!!
Saturday, October 6, 2007
Friday, October 5, 2007
5K Tomorrow
After this race I have one more 5K and that will be it for the season. I probably won't do as many 5Ks next since I will be concentrating on my long distance running (Blessing of the Fleet 10 mile race) and hopefully at least 2 sprint triathlons and the Shoreline Biathlon. I am really looking forward to next season already. I just wish they would post the 2008 schedule so I can start planning my training schedule.
Thursday, October 4, 2007
Sox Take the First Game!!!!
Spent another 30 minutes in the pool today. I felt a little better with my breathing but still not comfortable with it. I actually made it down to the end of the pool without stopping for air, which is a huge accomplishment for me. I can't wait to read this a couple of months now when I can swim laps to the moon and remember how hard it was just to breath correctly. Untill then I will keep practicing.
Other then that it was a pretty uneventful day. After the swim I jumped on the elliptical for 3 miles and did a few ab workouts.
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
Swimming is Hard
Monday, October 1, 2007
Office Olympics and Going Forward
As for working out, since I couldn’t run on the treadmill, I thought I would test it out on the elliptical. BINGO! My ankle didn’t hurt so I did 4 miles in 30 mins. Before the elliptical I did a circuit on the nautilus machines. I drove home and grabbed my swim gear, went back to the Y and spent the better part of 30 mins practicing my breathing and swim technique for a distance of 400 meters.
This week I will be going back into weight loss mode. I am going to bring down my running distance to 2 – 3 miles a day and bring back the elliptical and more strength training, and also swimming. I need to focus on my weight loss since I haven’t really been thinking about it for the past couple of months. Since August 1st I gained 5 lbs and now stand at 233. I don’t want to go backwards anymore. Lets Go!