86 beats a minute.

In 2001 I was training for my first triathlon and during that process I also lost 50 pounds.  So my days were spent swimming, biking and running.  One day I signed up to give blood at a local blood drive.  As you know when you go to give blood they take your blood pressure but also your pulse.  Well that morning the nurse who was working with me took my pulse several times.  She then pulled out this rules book and checked my pulse against a chart; she took my pulse again.  She then went and got her supervisor who took my pulse.  I finally asked if something was wrong?  The supervisor then asked me, "are you a runner?" I answered yes I am!  She told the nurse I was fine.  Come to find out my pulse was under 60 beats a minute, which could be a problem if you were giving blood.  However do to the fact that I was a runner and active I was fine.

On Monday, after the bomb went off at the Boston Marathon I felt helpless 300 miles away.  As a marathoner and a Massachusetts native I wanted to do something!  I needed to do something and prayers just didn't seem like enough, so I decided to go and give blood.  I arrived at the blood drive and the same process began paperwork, blood pressure and pulse.  However, this time they didn't ask if I was a runner.  My pulse was 86 beats a minute.  I was able to give blood but running (no pun intended) through my head was the fact that my pulse was high and they didn't ask if I was a runner!  Now I have given blood since 2001 but every time they take my pulse I think back to that day in 2001.

I know I wasn't there for myself and I was there to do something for others but it was a reminder that I have to do so much for myself.  Is it weird that I want to measure my activity success by my heart beats per minute?  I am scheduled to give blood again in 8 weeks!  We will see what happens.

Today I end this entry with...
BOSTON STRONG!!

Putting it all out there...

Since I made the decision not to complete the 70.3 this year I had to refocus and make something else a priority.  That priority is my weight and working at getting it lowered.  I believe by working on the weight loss it everything else will fall into place.  So of course when you are working on calories in and calories out ... sometimes things have to be given up and/or restricted ... if you notice I didn't write that dirty four letter word, D-I-E-T.  I couldn't just start another diet I had to change things in my life.  I decided to start this change by focusing first on some very simple things but keeping in mind that these simple changes can make a huge difference.  These changes are:

1. No Soda
2. No chips (chips, Doritos, Pringle's, Etc..)
3. No processed food
4. No fried food
5. Drink water
6. Get 7 -8 hours of sleep

It's not always easy but all I can do is take it one day at a time and sometimes one meal at a time.   I added the picture above because when I first read it I thought to myself that's such a simple concept.  The hard part is remembering this before you eat!

Another hard thing is putting all of this out there...

Are we there yet ...
Tri Mo Tri

On Hold...

For weeks something heavy was weighing on my shoulders I had to make a decision and it wasn't going to be easy.  Back in January my life had taken a 180 degree turn.  I had a new job (which I love), I was now commuting almost 3 hours a day and I was traveling a lot for work.  So for the last two months I have been trying to create a balance in my life of work, travel, commuting, sleep, volunteering and training ... I felt like I was becoming a "jack of all trades but a master of none".  What should I do?  This question loomed over me for weeks.  Well last Saturday I woke up and made my decision.  I said it out loud to myself and it felt like the world had been lifted off my shoulders.  Even though I made the decision I was nervous about telling people.  I knew it was the right decision but I didn't know what other people would say.  I shared my decision with a few friends and they agreed that it was the best decision for me.  I had thought about it for a long time and the decision was well thought out.  I decided to put my 70.3 training on hold and try to defer my race entry until 2014.  Due to my new job, the commuting and my travel my training has not been consistent.  It becomes hard to swim when you don't have access to a pool for a week because the hotel you are staying in didn't have a pool.  Or it is hard to get some time in on your bike when your bike was at home but you were 100s and 100s of miles away.  Not only was training suffering physically, mentally I had my doubts too.  I shared my decision with my coach and he too thought it was the best decision.  He told me that I should not worry about what others thought and that I was not quitting just putting it on hold.  He is right ... I still have three half marathons, three sprint triathlons scheduled, and open water swim and countless other races to focus on this summer.  As much as we want to think we can do it all sometimes we have to say no.  I did the 70.3 last year and I know what I need to do to be ready ... and I wasn't going to be ready.  I have put it on hold...

Must keep running...

This morning I am looking out a window onto Cazenovia Lake in New York and it is snowing.  In fact I don't think it has stopped snowing in Cazenovia for the past four or five days.  Not surprising for this part of the country and during this time of the year.  For individuals in other parts of the country winter means  running and training on treadmills but not in Central New York.  We run in snow, sleet and in cold temperatures.  You learn how to dress for this weather and you head out the door and you do it.  Within the last seven days I ran in two different races.  The first was last Sunday, February 24th.  I ran in the Lake Effect Half Marathon.  It was 13.1 miles running along the shores of Onondaga Lake and yes it was snowing!

The second event was yesterday and it was the Tipp Hill Shamrock 4 mile run.  This event event kicks off the St. Patrick's Day celebrations around the city and it is one of my favorite events.  It is a tough course but it always fun to see so many friends along the way and of course we celebrate when we are done.  Yesterday was cold and snowy but we all got through it!

Even though I got out and finished both events I struggled a bit during these events due to some recurring injuries.  I have this strange problem with my right foot.  When I run I can tell you exactly when I hit the four mile mark because this foot becomes inflamed and it begins to cramp.  My foot feels like it is on fire.  And if it is hot out it is even worse.  So thank God that it was cold Sunday because it numbed the pain a bit.  I also have some hip problems that I have had for 10 years that can get inflamed and will bother me.  Well during the half marathon both areas on the same leg bothered me a lot.  As a result I think I changed my gate a bit and I did something to my left foot.  I will say that the first 7 miles of this half went really well.  I was making great time on the course and was really excited about that.  However, after mile 7 all went down hill.

After this event was over the past week I spent my time walking, stretching and rolling out my sore muscles.  I had to be ready for yesterday's Tipp Hill Run.  I didn't know how the four mile run would go since I was still sore and my feet were bothering me.  So when the gun went off I didn't start my watch and decided my goal that day was to just run the course and finish.  And I did just that ... I was in pain and I took it slow but I ran the entire course except for the last hill which I have to admit is a Beatch!!  And I survived my week of running!  The goal now is to figure out what is going on with this foot.  I have a lot more runs ahead of me and I can't be sidelined with pain.  I have gone to doctors before with the problem but it is a mystery to all of us since we can't find what is wrong!  This week will be a lot of swimming and biking so we can rest these paws of mine!!

Are we there yet??

A thought...

I have had one thought going through my head lately ... or maybe it is one question....

Can you be your own worst enemy??

Dealing with a new challenge...

The half marathon is scheduled for Sunday, February 24th and on Sunday, February 17th I get hit with a head cold.  I haven't been sick in so long and now I get hit with this.  I am actually home from work today trying to get rid of this thing.  Will this effect me on Sunday?  Right now I feel like crap and I have absolutely no energy!  Let's hope this turns around soon!!

Are we there yet??

Catching Up

Yes I am still alive!

I know it has been some time since I have written last, three weeks and one day to be exact, but I have a good reason.  Yes I did find my mojo, no I didn't give up on my training ... I GOT A NEW JOB!!  After being out of work for 18 weeks, I was offered a job on January 7th and I accepted the position.  I started work on January 21st and I do love it!!

I accepted a position at Ithaca College in their Alumni Relations department.  My title is Associate Director of Events and Regional Planning.  Was this means is I am overseeing events that are planned by the Alumni Office and also overseeing their alumni groups across the country.  This position will require much travel so I will have to really plan my training accordingly and not use travel as an excuse.

Right now I am still living in Syracuse and traveling to Ithaca every day.  This commute puts 130 miles round trip on my car and tacks on a lot of extra time just sitting in a car.  I have been leaving early in the morning (5:30 AM)  to get my workouts in before work.  I don't mind that because the drive to work is quick that early in the morning but it does make for a very long day and I am tired by the time I get home.

With this position I am able to use the facilities on campus, which includes a beautiful pool, a great indoor track and a wonderful workout facility.  So there are no excuses on my end!!

The training has been going well.  My swim workouts as usual are my favorite and I still don't love the bike but I am getting it done.  I have had some hip issues within the last month and we have contributed that to sitting in the car for so many hours.  So in addition to my regular workouts I have had to add a lot of stretching for the hip. 

This past weekend was a busy one ... swim workout Friday morning, which when I got out of the pool I thought to myself, "I feel great!".  Friday evening I went skiing and it was a beautiful night with great conditions!  Saturday morning I went out for a run and I wasn't looking forward to it but half way through I just kept pushing myself to go further!  And this morning I met friends for a spin workout.  It was tough and I was tired when I finished but not because I was out of shape but tired because it was a tough workout and I left it all there on the trainer!!  It has been a long time since I have said that was a great bike workout!!

Next weekend is the Lake Effect Half Marathon ... I don't know what to expect for this race.  I know I can complete the 13.1 miles I just don't have a good feeling about how fast I will do it.  I have been running and have incorporated speed workouts but I don't know what will next weekend.  All I know is I will cross the finish line.

So I hope this blog finds everyone well.  I am sorry for being MIA but I am still trying to figure out my full schedule with the new job.  And I have to say the blog has been put on hold when the job, training and sleep are a priority!