Friday, July 31, 2009
Thursday, July 30, 2009
"Quote of the Day July 30, 2009"
" I say to people, "Be limitless, be open-minded and don't say "impossible" ".
Peter Brock
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
"Quote of the Day July 29, 2009"
"All men should strive to learn before they die, what they are running from, and to, and why".
James Thurber
James Thurber
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
"Quote of the Day July 28, 2009"
"There's always an element of self-doubt lurking. You can think that this is all too hard and go easy on yourself and not fight through the stress or pain, but you need to be aware of two things: that everyone else is going through the same thing, and you're not going to be successful if you stop".
John Eales
Monday, July 27, 2009
"Quote of the Day July 27, 2009"
"When people keep telling you that you can't do a thing, you kind of like to try it".
Margaret Chase Smith
Margaret Chase Smith
Sunday, July 26, 2009
"Puttin' the Try in Triathlon"
Today, I definitely put the "try" in my triathlon training. In less than one month's time, I am now a duathlete!
When I trained for my first marathon in 2005, I cycled as part of my cross-training but never on the same days I ran. I would do yoga after running but, thus far, yoga doesn't come into consideration when talking about athletic events and overall prowess.
This morning, though, prior to 9 a.m., I did a 9-mile bike ride and a 3-mile run...back-to-back! WOO WOO!
Talk about confidence building, boy, do I feel good. It would be a bunch of b.s. if I said I didn't have concerns or fear over my ability to pull off, this, my second, major, suicide attempt so having accomplished this hurdle toward my goal is definitely a physical as well as mental milestone. And, really, for anyone who thinks what I'm doing is some sort of super human thing, believe me, you too can do it; it's really all about mind over matter AND doing it in such a way as to take care of yourself and know your body and in doing so, know or begin to learn to know more about who you are as a person.
In addition to becoming a duathlete today, yesterday, I was in the water for a half mile. Wasn't forward stroking the entire time, as a matter of fact, I spent more time on my back kicking my legs, but I still covered half a mile!
Form, I'm working on my form. Learning when and how to breathe and whether or not I do that on one side or from side-to-side, after two strokes?, after three strokes? It's all a learning curve. My friend, George, is coaching me and helping me to figure it all out. Methinks I'm a side-to-side breather every three strokes; the problem I had yesterday, though, is that my head wouldn't always come out of the water high enough so I'd take-on water instead of air, and it's salt water...yuck, yuck and double yuck. After talking to George, what I now know is that I need to have more rotation in my shoulder so my head comes up enough, with the least amount of effort on my part, so I won't be suckin' in water.
Oh, and I did my swimming yesterday in my new springsuit, with flippers, goggles, swim cap and nose plugs. I'm quite swimming, fashionable appropriate I gotta say!
A springsuit, by the way, is short-sleeved and comes down to just above the knees, and a whole helluva lot easier to get into than my full suit making for a more positive swimming experience all the way around. Halle-frickin'-u-lah!
Definitely working my way to the nutrition area of my training (always the last thing on my list up until the time I, again, realize it's the most important).
Prior to swimming yesterday morning, I had a banana and a raisin bran muffin. Followed that up with chips and homemade pico de gallo for a snack; later on, a chicken and cheddar and monterey jack cheese burrito with nibbles of fresh strawberries and blueberries throughout the day. A couple of nice, cold Hefeweizen's in the evening and some roast beef for dinner.
This morning, prior to my bike ride and run, I had a banana and a raisin brain muffin. When I transitioned from my bike to the run, I nibbled on a couple of strawberries and a handful of blueberries along with a couple swigs of Propel, and a few bites of another muffin grabbing water at fountains along my route.
Surprisingly enough, one of the key ingredients in my dietary intake, is the chips accompanying the pico de gallo. Salt has never been a favorite of mine. Don't have a problem with it, just never use it so I've come to learn I need to consume it during my training process, especially over the hot,summer months, because it helps retain water and staying hydrated is crucial, and I mean CRUCIAL.
So, there you have it, the July 26 update. Thanks to all who help me along the way and thanks for reading!
When I trained for my first marathon in 2005, I cycled as part of my cross-training but never on the same days I ran. I would do yoga after running but, thus far, yoga doesn't come into consideration when talking about athletic events and overall prowess.
This morning, though, prior to 9 a.m., I did a 9-mile bike ride and a 3-mile run...back-to-back! WOO WOO!
Talk about confidence building, boy, do I feel good. It would be a bunch of b.s. if I said I didn't have concerns or fear over my ability to pull off, this, my second, major, suicide attempt so having accomplished this hurdle toward my goal is definitely a physical as well as mental milestone. And, really, for anyone who thinks what I'm doing is some sort of super human thing, believe me, you too can do it; it's really all about mind over matter AND doing it in such a way as to take care of yourself and know your body and in doing so, know or begin to learn to know more about who you are as a person.
In addition to becoming a duathlete today, yesterday, I was in the water for a half mile. Wasn't forward stroking the entire time, as a matter of fact, I spent more time on my back kicking my legs, but I still covered half a mile!
Form, I'm working on my form. Learning when and how to breathe and whether or not I do that on one side or from side-to-side, after two strokes?, after three strokes? It's all a learning curve. My friend, George, is coaching me and helping me to figure it all out. Methinks I'm a side-to-side breather every three strokes; the problem I had yesterday, though, is that my head wouldn't always come out of the water high enough so I'd take-on water instead of air, and it's salt water...yuck, yuck and double yuck. After talking to George, what I now know is that I need to have more rotation in my shoulder so my head comes up enough, with the least amount of effort on my part, so I won't be suckin' in water.
Oh, and I did my swimming yesterday in my new springsuit, with flippers, goggles, swim cap and nose plugs. I'm quite swimming, fashionable appropriate I gotta say!
A springsuit, by the way, is short-sleeved and comes down to just above the knees, and a whole helluva lot easier to get into than my full suit making for a more positive swimming experience all the way around. Halle-frickin'-u-lah!
Definitely working my way to the nutrition area of my training (always the last thing on my list up until the time I, again, realize it's the most important).
Prior to swimming yesterday morning, I had a banana and a raisin bran muffin. Followed that up with chips and homemade pico de gallo for a snack; later on, a chicken and cheddar and monterey jack cheese burrito with nibbles of fresh strawberries and blueberries throughout the day. A couple of nice, cold Hefeweizen's in the evening and some roast beef for dinner.
This morning, prior to my bike ride and run, I had a banana and a raisin brain muffin. When I transitioned from my bike to the run, I nibbled on a couple of strawberries and a handful of blueberries along with a couple swigs of Propel, and a few bites of another muffin grabbing water at fountains along my route.
Surprisingly enough, one of the key ingredients in my dietary intake, is the chips accompanying the pico de gallo. Salt has never been a favorite of mine. Don't have a problem with it, just never use it so I've come to learn I need to consume it during my training process, especially over the hot,summer months, because it helps retain water and staying hydrated is crucial, and I mean CRUCIAL.
So, there you have it, the July 26 update. Thanks to all who help me along the way and thanks for reading!
"Quote of the Day July 26, 2009"
"When you get into a tight place and everything goes against you, till it seems as though you could not hang on a minute longer, never give up then, for that is just the place and time that the tide will turn".
Harriet Beecher Stowe
Harriet Beecher Stowe
Saturday, July 25, 2009
"Wetsuit Wonderings"
Okay, so what is it week four of training, and I don't feel like I'm doing half bad. Missed out on swimming last week, but I did get in a 2.25 mile run and about a 13 mile bike ride. Held off on swimming thinking my friend, Karla, was getting me a new springsuit from Costco, but they were all out of them, and she even went to two different locations. All in all, I'm feeling good about my progress. Well, at least this morning I am. There are times I am concerned whether or not I'll be ready in time especially when it comes to the swimming portion of this, my wacky, little adventure; luckily, having completed marathon and half-marathon events, I suspect I have less of a fear factor than someone who would be choosing to do a triathlon as their first competition; nevertheless, it's still there.
And speaking of competition. The only one I'm in competition with here is me. I'm not out to win this thing. It's all about the goal. Setting it and following through on it is the true competition. What happens on October 4th just signifies the end of this particular goal up and until the time, I set a new one. If I didn't set the goal, I wouldn't be out running, cycling and swimming. Weird in that I enjoy it. Weird, in that I get to do it in Southern California so, duh, why wouldn't I want to be outside ALL the time but major weird in that I have to set these physical fitness goals to get myself out there doing it.
The other crazy thing about setting a fitness goal and taking the first and next steps to make it happen is that I find myself being more methodical in the other areas of my life; it spills over. The sense of order, direction and follow through, my training plan, finds me looking for and creating more structure in my life, overall and that's a good thing. A comforting thing.
And speaking of competition. The only one I'm in competition with here is me. I'm not out to win this thing. It's all about the goal. Setting it and following through on it is the true competition. What happens on October 4th just signifies the end of this particular goal up and until the time, I set a new one. If I didn't set the goal, I wouldn't be out running, cycling and swimming. Weird in that I enjoy it. Weird, in that I get to do it in Southern California so, duh, why wouldn't I want to be outside ALL the time but major weird in that I have to set these physical fitness goals to get myself out there doing it.
The other crazy thing about setting a fitness goal and taking the first and next steps to make it happen is that I find myself being more methodical in the other areas of my life; it spills over. The sense of order, direction and follow through, my training plan, finds me looking for and creating more structure in my life, overall and that's a good thing. A comforting thing.
"Quote of the Day July 25, 2009"
"When I dare to be powerful, to use my strength in the service of my vision, then it becomes less and less important whether I am afraid".
Audre Lord
Friday, July 24, 2009
"Quote of the Day July 24, 2009"
"If you do not tell the truth about yourself you cannot tell it about other people".
Virginia Woolfe
Thursday, July 23, 2009
"Quote of the Day July 23, 2009"
"The feeling of being hurried is not usually the result of living a full life and having no time. It is on the contrary born of a vague fear that we are wasting our life. When we do not do the one thing we ought to do, we have no time for anything else- we are the busiest people in the world".
Eric Hoffer
Eric Hoffer
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
"Quote of the Day July 22, 2009"
Quote of the day: "If you are distressed by anything external, the pain is not due to the thing itself, but to your estimate of it; and this you have the power to revoke at any moment".
Marcus Aurelius
Marcus Aurelius
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
"Quote of the Day July 21, 2009"
"Revenge has no more quenching effect on emotions than salt water has on thirst".
Walter Weckler
Walter Weckler
Monday, July 20, 2009
"I'm swimming, I'm swimming!"
Up stream. I'm swimming up stream. The swimming portion of my triathlon training is kicking me in the behind. Luckily, though, I have two friends who have swam competitively so I have some new found insight. Realized I was breathing all wrong. I was holding my breath under water so that when I came up for air, I was trying to both exhale and inhale in a very short amount of time; therefore, supplying me with little or no air. So now what I must do is breathe out when my head is under water so I can breathe in when it comes up. And not only that, but I also need to find my own rhythm. Will I do two strokes on one side and breath...maybe 3, or will I alternate sides. Don't yet know.
And not only am I swimming up stream with the aquatic portion of my training, I'm swimming up stream keeping it recorded. In the past two weeks, Fitness 4 All (F4A) has exploded onto the scene. Thanks to the article in the Grunion Gazette along with an email I sent to a local running club, we're getting volunteers and support. Now, not only am I off and running, literally, I'm also off and running with F4A. Lots to do in getting the program design down on paper, shopping for grants, planning and organizing a 5k fund raiser.....big stuff. Definitely, there's nowhere to go but up!
Wish I could say I have utter total and complete confidence in myself as I face my first triathlon as well as making F4A a success, but I can't. There's a lot of self doubt going on, but I suppose that's a good thing. If life were easy and steady-going all the time, I suspect it wouldn't be all that much fun.
Back to the triathlon. I did get in a 12.7 mile bike ride on Sunday the 12th so that's just 4 miles shy of what I need to do; however, the 17 miles I'm going to cover is on fire roads with hills so pretty soon I'm gonna have to switch-up my training to that level.
All in all, I question myself. Wondering why I'm doing what I'm doing. I begin to obsess over it working myself into a frazzle up and until such a time I begin to listen to what I'm saying out loud to others and then I start to actually believe myself. It's about feeling alive. Feeling I'm working toward something. Not feeling stagnant. New experiences create new opportunities; they nurture my soul and all worrying, obsessing aside, brings me peace.
And not only am I swimming up stream with the aquatic portion of my training, I'm swimming up stream keeping it recorded. In the past two weeks, Fitness 4 All (F4A) has exploded onto the scene. Thanks to the article in the Grunion Gazette along with an email I sent to a local running club, we're getting volunteers and support. Now, not only am I off and running, literally, I'm also off and running with F4A. Lots to do in getting the program design down on paper, shopping for grants, planning and organizing a 5k fund raiser.....big stuff. Definitely, there's nowhere to go but up!
Wish I could say I have utter total and complete confidence in myself as I face my first triathlon as well as making F4A a success, but I can't. There's a lot of self doubt going on, but I suppose that's a good thing. If life were easy and steady-going all the time, I suspect it wouldn't be all that much fun.
Back to the triathlon. I did get in a 12.7 mile bike ride on Sunday the 12th so that's just 4 miles shy of what I need to do; however, the 17 miles I'm going to cover is on fire roads with hills so pretty soon I'm gonna have to switch-up my training to that level.
All in all, I question myself. Wondering why I'm doing what I'm doing. I begin to obsess over it working myself into a frazzle up and until such a time I begin to listen to what I'm saying out loud to others and then I start to actually believe myself. It's about feeling alive. Feeling I'm working toward something. Not feeling stagnant. New experiences create new opportunities; they nurture my soul and all worrying, obsessing aside, brings me peace.
"Quote of the Day July 20, 2009"
"And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our fear, our presence automatically liberates others".
Marianne Williamson
Marianne Williamson
Sunday, July 19, 2009
"Quote of the Day July 19, 2009"
"Become aware of your moods and don't allow yourself to be fooled by the low ones".
Richard Carlson
Richard Carlson
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Friday, July 17, 2009
"Quote of the Day July 17, 2009"
Quote of the Day: "I cannot give you the formula for success, but I can give you the formula for failure: which is: Try to please everybody".
Herbert B. Swope
Herbert B. Swope
Thursday, July 16, 2009
"Quote of the Day July 16, 2009"
"Live a good life. If there are gods and they are just, then they will not care how devout you have been, but will welcome you based on the virtues you have lived by. If there are gods, but unjust, then you should not want to worship them. If there are no gods, then you will be gone, but will have lived a noble life that will live on in the memories of your loved ones. I am not afraid".
Marcus Aurelius
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
"Quote of the Day July 15, 2009"
"It is more important to know where you are going than to get there quickly. Do not mistake activity for achievement".
Mabel Newcomber
Mabel Newcomber
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
"Quote of the Day July 14, 2009"
"One who asks a question is a fool for five minutes; one who does not ask a question remains a fool forever".
Chinese Proverb
Chinese Proverb
Monday, July 13, 2009
"Quote of the Day July 13, 2009"
"If the world were a logical place, men would ride side saddle".
Rita Mae Brown
Rita Mae Brown
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Saturday, July 11, 2009
"Quote of the Day July 11, 2009"
"If we listened to our intellect, we'd never have a love affair. We'd never have a friendship. We'd never go into business, because we'd be too cynical. Well, that's nonsense. You've got to jump off cliffs all the time and build your wings on the way down".
Annie Dillard
Annie Dillard
Friday, July 10, 2009
Alas, here it is Friday so that means, come tomorrow, I'm hittin' the bike path, the streets and the water. Gotta fit it all in, but I'm not sure how. Think my best bet is to run early tomorrow morning giving myself time to cool off before puttin' on that wetsuit, because, let me tell yuh, there's no getting into that thing when my body is all damp and sweaty. Talk about trying to squeeze 5 pounds of potatoes into a 10 pound sack!
Yes, I could swim first and run second, but Joe doesn't leave his place on Saturday's until 9 so that means I wouldn't do my run until, at the earliest, 10 o'clock and by that time, the heat of the day becomes a factor.
And then come Sunday, I'll cycle. From an organizational and time management standpoint, would much rather run and cycle on the same day, but I don't think my legs are up for it just yet.
Yes, I could swim first and run second, but Joe doesn't leave his place on Saturday's until 9 so that means I wouldn't do my run until, at the earliest, 10 o'clock and by that time, the heat of the day becomes a factor.
And then come Sunday, I'll cycle. From an organizational and time management standpoint, would much rather run and cycle on the same day, but I don't think my legs are up for it just yet.
"Quote of the Day July 10, 2009"
"This is my simple religion. There is no need for temples; no need for complicated philosophy. Our own brain, our own heart is our temple; the philosophy is kindness".
HH the Dalai Lama
HH the Dalai Lama
Thursday, July 9, 2009
"Quote of the Day July 9, 2009"
"When one door closes another door opens; but we so often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door, that we do not see the ones which open for us".
Alexander Graham Bell
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
"Quote of the Day July 8, 2009"
"It takes a lot of courage to release the familiar and seemingly secure, to embrace the new. But there is no real security in what is no longer meaningful. There is more security in the adventurous and exciting, for in movement there is life, and in change there is power".
Alan Cohen
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
"Quote of the Day July 7, 2009"
"Highly developed spirits often encounter resistance from mediocre minds".
Albert Einstein
Albert Einstein
Monday, July 6, 2009
"Can You Say, Padding? Mhm, I Knew You Could"
On Sunday, I went for my first, bike ride, and I do have a bit of difficulty calling it a bike ride because that to me sounds more leisurely like taking a stroll on the beach or something and to say, I went for my first cycle or cycling training, doesn't exactly roll off the tongue either. I guess since I'm writing about training for my first triathlon, if I say I went for my first ride, all y'all are supposed to know I'm on a bike and not a Harley although I'm thinkin' a Harley would probably be a helluva lot more comfortable, and, not to mention, I could be wearing one of those cool t-shirts that says, "If you can read this, the bitch fell off".
I made plans to meet friends, Connie & Mark, around 7:15 a.m., in the marina parking lot near Joe's Crabshack. They're in training for a "Metric Century" race, meaning, 100 kilometers or, in linear terms, a 63 mile "ride". Their goal for Sunday's training was 43 miles...ewe, ewe and double ewe! Greatly admire their ambition, but I'm so not there yet.
I did, however, manage to cover just under 8 miles. 7.72 to be exact. Lost them, or I should say, cut them loose around mile 1, because they were on their "road" bikes and mine is considered a hybrid, of sorts, in that it serves dual purpose as both a road and off-road bike. The cycling portion of my triathlon will be on gravel/dirt fire roads so I do need to train with this bike as opposed to my road bike. In other words, I couldn't keep up.
What's the difference? The tires on my hybrid are wide and fat with textured tread making road cycling slower-going as opposed to a road bike with its skinny, near zero-tread design. Less tire means less contact with the road, making for a faster ride.
Good thing about our route, I cut-off at the peninsula. Wearing my Garmin, I was able to calculate the distance of Saturday's swim. Estimating where I'd entered and exited the water, I'd covered a quarter of a mile! Who woulduh thunk?
Similar to Saturday's swim, I didn't want to push it too hard first day out so I rounded the peninsula and made my way to the bike path and then to the pier where my right, hamstring started giving me a little bit of trouble so I headed back.
It was a beautiful morning; I really enjoyed the ride, but it appears swimming is my new, favorite thing. The peacefulness of it is mesmerizing.
Oh, and I mustn't forget to mention, padded seat and cycle shorts combined, I'm sorry, cycling is still tough on the uh hum...er...inseam. Don't know if it's the same for women, but I'll find out and let yuh know. Oucha, oucha oucha!
I made plans to meet friends, Connie & Mark, around 7:15 a.m., in the marina parking lot near Joe's Crabshack. They're in training for a "Metric Century" race, meaning, 100 kilometers or, in linear terms, a 63 mile "ride". Their goal for Sunday's training was 43 miles...ewe, ewe and double ewe! Greatly admire their ambition, but I'm so not there yet.
I did, however, manage to cover just under 8 miles. 7.72 to be exact. Lost them, or I should say, cut them loose around mile 1, because they were on their "road" bikes and mine is considered a hybrid, of sorts, in that it serves dual purpose as both a road and off-road bike. The cycling portion of my triathlon will be on gravel/dirt fire roads so I do need to train with this bike as opposed to my road bike. In other words, I couldn't keep up.
What's the difference? The tires on my hybrid are wide and fat with textured tread making road cycling slower-going as opposed to a road bike with its skinny, near zero-tread design. Less tire means less contact with the road, making for a faster ride.
Good thing about our route, I cut-off at the peninsula. Wearing my Garmin, I was able to calculate the distance of Saturday's swim. Estimating where I'd entered and exited the water, I'd covered a quarter of a mile! Who woulduh thunk?
Similar to Saturday's swim, I didn't want to push it too hard first day out so I rounded the peninsula and made my way to the bike path and then to the pier where my right, hamstring started giving me a little bit of trouble so I headed back.
It was a beautiful morning; I really enjoyed the ride, but it appears swimming is my new, favorite thing. The peacefulness of it is mesmerizing.
Oh, and I mustn't forget to mention, padded seat and cycle shorts combined, I'm sorry, cycling is still tough on the uh hum...er...inseam. Don't know if it's the same for women, but I'll find out and let yuh know. Oucha, oucha oucha!
Sunday, July 5, 2009
"Ten Pound of Potatoes in a Five Pound Sack!"
Saturday, July 4th, began the swimming portion of my triathlon training. Going into this little adventure or second, major, suicide attempt, as I refer to it, I see swimming and pulling all three events together in a straight line as most challenging. Having covered 5 miles of running on day one, I'm well on my way, theoretically speaking, to nailing the 10k.
Lucky for me, my friend and client, Joe, lives on the Peninsula here in Long Beach so, yesterday morning, I drove to his place a little after 9, used his garage as my changing room, squeezed into my wetsuit and scurried across Ocean Boulevard to the channel between the Peninsula and Naples.
Feeling a bit self-conscious in my wetsuit, I was hoping to sneak across the sand and into the water relatively unnoticed. No such luck... 4th of July, holiday, beach goers were already en masse!
Look, it's Sandra Bullock in her first nude scene!
Made yuh look!
Lucky for me, my friend and client, Joe, lives on the Peninsula here in Long Beach so, yesterday morning, I drove to his place a little after 9, used his garage as my changing room, squeezed into my wetsuit and scurried across Ocean Boulevard to the channel between the Peninsula and Naples.
Feeling a bit self-conscious in my wetsuit, I was hoping to sneak across the sand and into the water relatively unnoticed. No such luck... 4th of July, holiday, beach goers were already en masse!
Look, it's Sandra Bullock in her first nude scene!
Made yuh look!Not sure exactly how far I swam but let me tell you, that water was cold with a capital C-O-L-D!
And it wasn't about me being a little, wussy boy either, because I met a fellow swimmer, Karen, who said she'd come out the day before in her swimsuit not realizing the chill factor so she, too, was in a wetsuit, and she even had nose plugs and flippers reminding me I'd forgotten mine along with my goggles...oye!
So, I chose to sorta kinda do the back stroke; I wasn't really ready to get my face wet. I did have my bathing cap on and that works wonders keeping the water out of my ears, because, obviously, I wouldn't be needing it for any other reason!
Swimming on my back, kicking my feet while scooping my arms out to the sides, was heaven. Felt greatly akin to what I imagine a sensory deprivation tank to be like. With my ears just under the surface of the water, all I heard was my steady breathing, and the splashing of the water as I kicked my feet. Joyous. It was joyously peaceful.
Suprising to me, I never felt winded. Thought for sure the steady use of both my upper and lower body would be a grand effort, but I was very calm and plugged my way along feeling pretty good.
Not sure how far I'd gone when I decided I should probably stop; not because I was tired, but I had concerns about overloading my arms. Really, how well would my training go if I couldn't lift a fork to my mouth?
I took a look around making note of where I'd exited the water so I could come by later with my Garmin to figure out how far I'd actually gone.
Heading back to Joe's along the beach, I, of course, ran into people I know (Remember what I said about being self-conscious in my wetsuit?). Grrr....
Tony and Karen, friends of Joe's whom I know from many a Christmas party, were out front of their home and then while I was visiting with them, along comes Brett, whom I hadn't seen in several years. Great seeing them but, again, I was in my wetsuit!
The rest of the day I pretty much did nothing. I putzed around the house and even got in a nice, little nap.
Oh, and I ate better the night before too. Roasted a chicken on the grill; had that along with some broccoli and cauliflower, and I did leave the house in better shape having had a banana, a diet coke and a toasted bun with garlic, cream cheese, a slice of bacon and homegrown tomato.
Using Joe's house and garage as my swimming, base camp is going to work out great. Easy access in and out, and I can leave my wetsuit hanging in his garage from swim to swim. Thanks, Joe!
And it wasn't about me being a little, wussy boy either, because I met a fellow swimmer, Karen, who said she'd come out the day before in her swimsuit not realizing the chill factor so she, too, was in a wetsuit, and she even had nose plugs and flippers reminding me I'd forgotten mine along with my goggles...oye!
So, I chose to sorta kinda do the back stroke; I wasn't really ready to get my face wet. I did have my bathing cap on and that works wonders keeping the water out of my ears, because, obviously, I wouldn't be needing it for any other reason!
Swimming on my back, kicking my feet while scooping my arms out to the sides, was heaven. Felt greatly akin to what I imagine a sensory deprivation tank to be like. With my ears just under the surface of the water, all I heard was my steady breathing, and the splashing of the water as I kicked my feet. Joyous. It was joyously peaceful.
Suprising to me, I never felt winded. Thought for sure the steady use of both my upper and lower body would be a grand effort, but I was very calm and plugged my way along feeling pretty good.
Not sure how far I'd gone when I decided I should probably stop; not because I was tired, but I had concerns about overloading my arms. Really, how well would my training go if I couldn't lift a fork to my mouth?
I took a look around making note of where I'd exited the water so I could come by later with my Garmin to figure out how far I'd actually gone.
Heading back to Joe's along the beach, I, of course, ran into people I know (Remember what I said about being self-conscious in my wetsuit?). Grrr....
Tony and Karen, friends of Joe's whom I know from many a Christmas party, were out front of their home and then while I was visiting with them, along comes Brett, whom I hadn't seen in several years. Great seeing them but, again, I was in my wetsuit!
The rest of the day I pretty much did nothing. I putzed around the house and even got in a nice, little nap.
Oh, and I ate better the night before too. Roasted a chicken on the grill; had that along with some broccoli and cauliflower, and I did leave the house in better shape having had a banana, a diet coke and a toasted bun with garlic, cream cheese, a slice of bacon and homegrown tomato.
Using Joe's house and garage as my swimming, base camp is going to work out great. Easy access in and out, and I can leave my wetsuit hanging in his garage from swim to swim. Thanks, Joe!
"Quote of the Day July 5, 2009"
"By believing passionately in something that does not yet exist, we create it".
Nikos Kazantzakis
Nikos Kazantzakis
Saturday, July 4, 2009
"Burrtini"
Okay, so yesterday, day one, I headed outta here having had a mozarella cheese burrito for dinner the night before, and a coupla, smart martinis. Breakfast consisted of a banana and a diet coke and just before walking out the door, I grabbed a couple chunks of Val's beef jerky, drank a bunch of water, and I was gone!
Not necessarily the best nutritional example to set but in my own defense, didn't find out until Thursday night I was for sure without gas this weekend. The front house is tented for termites and because my gas meter is attached to it, and my gas line runs underneath it without being buried, my gas had to be shut off too. No stove no cooking unless it was microwaveable. Yesterday, however, I picked up some propane for my camp stove so it, along with the outdoor grill, gives me a near, fully operational kitchen!
Made my way to the beach, bike path parking my car along Ocean Boulevard in Bluff Park, and I was only 15 minutes behind schedule!
Decided to stick with the original 5-mile plan I had with Kathleen so that would take me toward downtown and the marina. If I was feeling up to it, figured I'd go all the way around past the Marine Bureau office increasing my run by another mile or so.
In the end, I stuck with the 5. At miles 1.16 and 3.29, stopped at a drinking fountain as well as did some stretching. At mile 4.14, needed to pee and grab a drink but the fountain wasn't working so I did a little more stretching and finished back where I'd started with my Garmin registering a total of 4.94 miles, but I ALWAYS round up. Five. I did 5 miles!
And not only did I complete 5 miles, but I came back faster!
Here's my mile per minute pace:
Mile 1: 13.38
Mile 2: 13.28
Mile 3: 13.20
Mile 4: 12.56
Mile 5: 12.09
I'm so like a horse heading back to the corral! And while I may not be fast, at least I'm out there doin' it!
How's it go? What do you call someone who finishes first in their class in medical school? Dr. And what do you call someone who finishes last in their class in medical school? Dr.
So even if I come in dead last in October, what will I be called for the first time at near 51, a triathlete, baby, a triathlete!
Not necessarily the best nutritional example to set but in my own defense, didn't find out until Thursday night I was for sure without gas this weekend. The front house is tented for termites and because my gas meter is attached to it, and my gas line runs underneath it without being buried, my gas had to be shut off too. No stove no cooking unless it was microwaveable. Yesterday, however, I picked up some propane for my camp stove so it, along with the outdoor grill, gives me a near, fully operational kitchen!
Made my way to the beach, bike path parking my car along Ocean Boulevard in Bluff Park, and I was only 15 minutes behind schedule!
Decided to stick with the original 5-mile plan I had with Kathleen so that would take me toward downtown and the marina. If I was feeling up to it, figured I'd go all the way around past the Marine Bureau office increasing my run by another mile or so.
In the end, I stuck with the 5. At miles 1.16 and 3.29, stopped at a drinking fountain as well as did some stretching. At mile 4.14, needed to pee and grab a drink but the fountain wasn't working so I did a little more stretching and finished back where I'd started with my Garmin registering a total of 4.94 miles, but I ALWAYS round up. Five. I did 5 miles!
And not only did I complete 5 miles, but I came back faster!
Here's my mile per minute pace:
Mile 1: 13.38
Mile 2: 13.28
Mile 3: 13.20
Mile 4: 12.56
Mile 5: 12.09
I'm so like a horse heading back to the corral! And while I may not be fast, at least I'm out there doin' it!
How's it go? What do you call someone who finishes first in their class in medical school? Dr. And what do you call someone who finishes last in their class in medical school? Dr.
So even if I come in dead last in October, what will I be called for the first time at near 51, a triathlete, baby, a triathlete!
Quote of the Day July 4, 2009
"Stop making excuses. If you want to make something happen, just make it happen".
David Goggins
David Goggins
Friday, July 3, 2009
It's "T" day! Day one of triathlon training. Just a little bit before 7, and I was supposed to have met my friend, Kathleen, at 7:30 for up to a 5-mile run, but she's not feeling well so I'm on my own. Always a little bit more tough motivating myself to get out there on my own but today, I think I can pull it off. I've been procrastinating long enough as well as been sorta goal deficient in that I've been avoiding me, to a great extent, while focusing on others. I'm truly at a stage where I want what I do for a living to be a major part of who I am. I want to wake up every morning knowing what I'm doing is great for me as well as for those around me. I'm tired of loving what I do but hating where I do it. I'm just done having to fight off the anger and bitterness on a daily basis. Life's short.
I see uh change uh comin!
I see uh change uh comin!
"Quote of the Day July 3, 2009"
""One's mind has a way of making itself up in the background, and it suddenly becomes clear what one means to do".
A.C. Benson
A.C. Benson
Thursday, July 2, 2009
"Quote of the day July 2, 2009"
"Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world".
Harriet Tubman
Harriet Tubman
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Two days. Two days 'til I start my triathlon training. Set up to run with Kathleen Friday morning at 7:30, swimming on Saturday morning and then meeting Connie & Mark for a bike ride on Sunday morning.
Kind of a crazy start to the week. Love teaching yoga and other exercises classes; wish I did it as my own business. All the gunk that comes with working for a company can sometimes make me crazy. Co-workers especially. Self-employment offers the opportunity to say buh-bye if someone is a pain in the ass or has personality disorder issues. Life's a whole let less stressful when you can get rid of the dredge.
Need to spend time this weekend working on getting back to self-employment.
Kind of a crazy start to the week. Love teaching yoga and other exercises classes; wish I did it as my own business. All the gunk that comes with working for a company can sometimes make me crazy. Co-workers especially. Self-employment offers the opportunity to say buh-bye if someone is a pain in the ass or has personality disorder issues. Life's a whole let less stressful when you can get rid of the dredge.
Need to spend time this weekend working on getting back to self-employment.
"Quote of the Day July 1, 2009"
"Millions long for immortality who do not know what to do with themselves on a rainy Sunday afternoon".
Susan Ertz
Susan Ertz
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