Tri-ing to start again

This blog had started after I completed my first 70.3.  I had done a blog for News10Now or Your News Now, whatever they call it, I can't remember.  That blog was prior to my Ironman 70.3, I enjoyed writing that one so I decided to start this blog.  The only problem with starting this blog about training to complete my second 70.3 ... that 70.3 never happened and my plans had to change.

This past year has been a tough one for me, I was diagnosed with high blood pressure, something I have never had to deal with before.  The first medication I tried I became allergic to and the second gave me asthma.  When I started taking the medication I would head out for a run or compete in a triathlon and during the run portion I would not be able to control my breathing.  During one race I had a bit of panic attack because I didn't know what was happening to me.  My doctor ended up sending me for a stress test and the cardiologist was the one who discovered the problem.  My heart was fine but he figured out that it was the medication causing the problem.  Switched medications again, problem solved ... sort of.

I travel a lot for my job and that put me into a bit of a rut with my workouts.  It was hard to train on the road and complete all the workouts that needed to be done.  I started to get discouraged and a bit burnt out from it all.  And then in April I started to get sick, with what I thought was just a cold, but it lasted for two months.  I was on three bouts of antibiotics and countless other medications and I was sidelined.  I barely had enough energy during that time to get out of bed in the morning.  I was miserable.

Now I am trying to start again, trying to find the fire and desire deep down inside.  This time around I can't focus just on a finish line I need to focus on the journey.  I need to take this one day at a time, get healthy and lead a healthy lifestyle.  This is the reason I decided to change the title of the Blog and what the Blog will be about.  This blog is no longer focused on one race but on the journey to find the fire again!

Mo

Random Thoughts

A friend of mine who is an extraordinary writer once stated that if you can't think of something to write about just write.  Put what ever comes into your head down on paper.  Here are my random thoughts...

I am sick today.  Got hit with a head cold that I was fighting for a week.  I am a miserable sick person.  I hate sneezing, coughing and that feeling of your ears being blocked.  When I am sick it feels like my entire world is moving in slow motion.  And of course I have to travel this week!  Which always makes for a great time.  During the winter when many of my co-workers were getting hit with the head cold I warned them not to get me sick.  I survived that time period so why now?    Are you getting the picture that I am a winy sick person too? The worst part about feeling like this today is the sun is out and the sky is so blue today!

I went out to my car this morning to get something and realized that today is April 6th and I still have my Christmas wreath hanging.  I hadn't taken it down earlier because of the very large snow banks in front of the house.  I couldn't get access to the wreath.  I think I need to take it down now.  There is still a snow bank but I think I can reach the wreath.  I may try to take it down later.

So about three weeks ago I decided I had gone too far.  My eating was out of control and my weight was way too high.  I was trying to do it on my own but I couldn't I needed help.   I went back to Weight Watchers on March 18th.  In the past two weeks I have lost 4.4 pounds.  I am feeling good and in control of my eating.  One day at a time!

My workouts are going OK, not great but OK.  I think that is a random thought for another day.  I don't know what to say about that...

Tri Mo Tri

Day 2 & 3

Completed three days of the thirty day challenge. Yesterday I had a strength training workout and walked. Today before I left Boston I went out for a run. In the morning I tried to talk myself out of it, telling myself I will do it later. However I know myself and later would never happen. So I made a deal with myself and said, if you go out for a run in the morning your route can end at paneras and breakfast will be waiting. So I headed out on the cool sunny morning and ran along the wharfs, into the North End and back and finished at Paneras. It is nice to know your workout is done and the entire day is ahead.

DAY ONE...

DAY ONE ... of the 30 day challenge is complete.  I ran after work and as promised I completed the workout before I left campus tonight.  Tomorrow I travel to Boston for work so I am trying to figure out when I am going to get my workout in during the day.  Will I do it before I leave or hope to get something in when I arrive?  This is when travel becomes a challenge.  Stay tuned and I will let you know tomorrow.

30 Day Challenge

I am taking on a challenge, a 30 day challenge.  I read that if you are going to take on something like this it is best to make it public so everyone will know. So hear it is ... THE 30 DAY TRAINING CHALLENGE!

I have been slacking with my workouts and training.  I have been using every excuse known.  My favorite and most convenient excuse has been work travel.  The only one I am hurting with these excuses is me.  My workouts have been hit or miss and my weight is at an all time high.  The reason I know my weight is at an all time high is because I headed back to Weight Watchers last night.  I figure if I am going to take on this challenge it has to include my food choices too.  And at the rate that I have been going I won't be heading to any start lines let alone finish lines.  I am heading towards destruction and it doesn't look pretty.  So it is time to make a change.

So today starts a new day.  Day 1 of the 30 day challenge!  Today's workout will be a run and I can't leave campus tonight until it is done!  Every day I will train for 30 days.  I will swim, bike, run or strength train.  I know what you are all thinking ... you need a rest day.  I have had too many rest days already and some days will not be as intense as others.

Back in 2005 I completed a marathon in San Francisco and the medal that everyone received when they crossed the finish line was a Tiffany necklace.  I wear this necklace almost every day to remind me that I can do it.  Well I took the medal off and told myself when I complete this 30 day challenge I can put the necklace back on!

LET THE GAMES BEGIN!!!

Quiet Time

Some times you need to take advantage of quiet times.  It's often a gift you weren't expecting.  And sometimes you don't even realize you needed it until you are in the midst of it.  Today I attended an all day conference/retreat at work.  It's one of those retreats that you find yourself thinking all day long and by the end of the day you are brain dead.  It was a good day and a lot was accomplished but by the end you were done.  The gift that was given to us is that we were able to leave work early.  I decided to take advantage.  I got up this morning and swam so I didn't have to complete a workout so I gladly left when we were done.  I walked outside and the sun was shining and the temperature was about 30 degrees.  I ran a couple of errands and then I headed home.  I was in my house before 5 pm and I couldn't tell you the last time that happened.  I got changed out of my work clothes, put my sweats on, made a cup of tea and sat on the couch.  There wasn't any noise and it was heaven.  I didn't realize I needed that until I took advantage of it.  We all need time to rejuvenate our souls.  We need time to recover from all that life dishes out.

Sometimes we need to take the time to rediscover who were are and what we want.  To reconnect spiritually.  This usually takes longer than a quiet 30 minutes on the couch but I can tell you there will be a cup of tea involved.  This is what I am working on now and this quiet afternoon was a special gift I didn't see coming!

Day two of lent and I was in bed at 10:30 PM, up at 6 and got my workouts done before work!!!

Tri Mo Tri

40+ days

Today is Ash Wednesday ... the beginning of Lent! Forty plus days until Easter.  Yes, as Christians we often say 40 days until Easter.  However, if you count and include Sundays there are 46 days until Easter.  Lent is a time for Christians to prepare for Jesus' death and ultimately His resurrection.  During this time Christians prepare through sacrifice and spiritual reflection.

I am going to take advantage of this time to sacrifice things, renew my commitment to myself and my own spiritual growth.  I believe by strengthening my Spirit, Mind and Body during these 40 days I will be prepared for the prepared for the Joyous time they call Easter and be able to recommit to what I find important.

What do I plan to do you ask?

Declutter the house over the 40+ days - I need to clean out this space in order to help renew my spirit.  Every day I will take care of a different area even if it is just a pile of mail.

To be in bed by 10:30 PM

Get my workouts done in the morning

No Popcorn (I eat it almost every night)
No Doritos - my go to comfort food
No Pringles - my go to comfort food
No chips & Dip - my go to comfort food
No processed food

Make a commitment to go back to church

My spirit is broken and I need to renew it and recommit to myself.  This is a time to prepare and reflect!