Sorry... The Post is One Day Late

I apologize for the delay. I know I promised I would write every Sunday but I was traveling for work yesterday. I drove to Philadelphia, had an event to attend in the afternoon. By the time we were done with the event and had dinner I was too tired to write. I arose this morning, ran along the Delaware River and drove back to Ithaca, NY.

The first full week of January went well for me. It was extremely cold but I still tried to make the best of it and get all my workouts done. I actually got two strength conditioning workouts in this week which was a huge accomplishment for me.

Classes started back up today so my life once again will be workouts, work, and school work. I had a few weeks off, which I took total advantage of and I found myself relaxing a bit. I did notice that due to the fact that I did not have to do school work at night, I was putting my morning workouts off until the afternoon. I can not let that happen for the next 16 weeks. Discipline is the key to all of this. I truly believe, if you want something you will find a way, if not you will find an excuse.

As I mentioned this past week was bitter cold and offered much of the country some strange winter storms. Last Monday I ran 10 miles outside. It was cold, but I dressed the part and got it done. I had double and triple layers on all over my body. Under my winter had I had a winter headband for extra cover to my ears and four layers on the upper portion of my body. The sun was out for most of the run which helped a bit but the wind was tough.

Then, Saturday, January 6th came along. It was -2 degrees and the windchill made it feel like a -25 degrees. I love to run outside but even I know my limit. There was no way I could do it. However, the thought of running on a treadmill for 8 miles sounded insane. Then again I think 2 miles on the treadmill is insane. Instead I went to the Athletic and Events Center at the college where I work and ran on the track. 8 miles completed after running about 64 times around the track. I have to admit I don't know how accurate that last number is, I found it hard to keep track of the number of times I went around. The one thing that kept me entertained was the fact that members of our baseball team were practicing in the batting cages and doing drills. Hoping not to get hit by a baseball made me run a bit faster.

Today was the start of a drop back week, since my half marathon is on Sunday. I had to run 30 minutes and it felt down right balmy, with the temperature registering in at 18 or 20 degrees. I ran along the Delaware River in the Penn's Landing of Philadelphia. Although the air felt pretty good, looking out at the the river covered in chunks of ice made it feel a bit cold.

I hope everyone has a great week. In less than 3 days I will be flying to Florida for some warm weather and half marathon #13

A mid-week update...

I had an extra day off from work today and during my bike workout I was watching a talk show. The talk show was called "Family & Home" or "Home & Family" on the Hallmark Channel (nothing else was on). The hosts were interviewing a woman who was talking about making New Year's Resolutions. She said that she doesn't make them right away. In fact she waits a month to reflect on the past year and she thinks about what she really wants for the new year. After that month of reflection she usually knows what she wants to work on in the New Year or what new things she would like to try.

It made me think about the resolutions I made. Will I stick with them? Did I make the right ones? Will I succeed? I decided I would take the month of January to reflect. To think about the resolutions I made and decide are they the best ones for me? Don't worry I am not going back on my promise of writing my blog on a weekly basis. I know I need to do this and it will be a great place to share my reflections.

Watching this on the Hallmark Channel made me think of something my colleague and I said throughout the month of December...if all else fails you always have the Hallmark Channel. It helped me out today!!

January 2018 will be my time to reflect!!

Happy New Year - A new goal!

A New Year

365 blank pages of a new book

12 chapters to write

How will you write 2018

 

Yes I am will start this blog post by stating the obvious, I have not written a post since September 10, 2017. The last few months have been very busy with work and grad school classes. I started working towards my doctorate in September and that kept me very busy this fall. However, I have missed writing my blog and sharing my stories with you. Writing this blog has always kept me accountable.

I always promised I would share the good, the bad, and the ugly when it came to my training, my weight and within the last 18 months post bariatric surgery updates. Just a week ago on Christmas Eve my cousin asked me if as time has moved on have things gotten easier when it comes to bariatric surgery? My answer was no. Yes, running and my workouts have gotten easier compared to doing it with 100 extra pounds. And, I feel great but you need to stay on top of things at all times.

As you get further and further away from your surgery date, you have more options when it comes to food. You can try more and sometimes the old demons come back to you. You don't want to go backwards but if you aren't paying attention, you find yourself mindlessly eating or taking in foods you really shouldn't. There are still a lot of foods that I don't have any desire to eat but mindless eating is always a problem.

So for 2018 one of my goals and resolutions is to start blogging again. I need to stay accountable to myself and by sharing it all with you, this helps me. I plan to write and update you every Sunday. I am hoping that by being honest with you and myself I will stay focused, catch the mindless eating and work towards my weight/health goals.

On August 17, 2017 I weighed in at 148 pounds. This made a total of 102 pounds down from my highest weight. Since August 17 my weight has been fluctuating +/- a few pounds and as high as 7 pounds. This is so frustrating especially since I do workout and train almost every single day. So it is obvious that I have to work on the mindless eating and watch my calorie intake. I would like to be down to 140 pounds by December 31, 2018. I was at 152.5 pounds on December 31, 2017. I think this is possible. Once again I will share this...this surgery is a tool...not a quick fix...you have to constantly be working it.

I have also been running and training over the last few months so I thought I would share some pictures with you that show some of my accomplishments and some fun I have had.

 In October I went to Detroit with my sister to complete the Detroit Full & Half Marathon. I completed my 3rd full marathon and my sister did her first half marathon. It is an international marathon as the course crosses over into Canada.

It was a great weekend and I would encourage others to head to Detroit for this marathon. I loved the medal and the ribbon had both the US and Canadian flag on it. I PR'd this marathon.

In November, I completed the Turkey Trot in East Longmeadow, MA with my sister and dad. This was my 6th Turkey Trot and I PR'd another race this year. My motto on Thanksgiving is move your feet so you can eat!

 In late November into early December I had to travel for work to DC and NYC. When I travel for work I always pack my running shoes because it is always the best way to see the sights in city. In NY the night before my run they officially lit the Rockefeller Christmas Tree. We couldn't even get close to the area that evening so the next day I got up early...before the sun rose and ran to the tree. It was a great time to be there...all the tourist were still in bed!

DC is always one of my favorite places to run. It is so peaceful in the early morning!!

Below is my workout calendar for December. Three rest days and a lot of running, biking, and swimming.

I started 2018 with a 10+ mile run as I train for another half marathon!!

A quick update...

So last week I shared with you all that I was challenging myself to a 47 day goal...that hopefully turns into a habit. I wrote that I am not great or consistent with adding a strength training program to my workouts, even though I know that it is very important. I also shared the daily routine that I was going to start September 4th was:
1. pushups
2. planks
3. bridges
4. bicep curls (5lb weights/1 set)
5. squats (body weight)

Today is Sunday, September 10th and it has been seven days...wait for it...yes, I have done this routine every day!

Tomorrow starts another week...must keep it going in order to start a habit.

On a side note awesome run on Saturday. I completed 10 miles while traveling for work in California. It was a drop back week but Saturday was a training run...compared to last week I felt stronger physically and mentally. Why such a difference in how I felt?? Could it have been the fact that I was running along the marinas in Marina del Rey or along the sand in Venice Beach compared to running along side corn fields and cows the week before?

Keep Moving!!

September 4 - Labor Day - a new day...a new school year

Training Completed in August -- two rest days

My sister is a school teacher and instead of making resolutions on January 1st she does at the beginning of September, the start of the school year. She believes that the start of the school year is a clean slate and the true beginning of the year.

I am not a school teacher but I do work in higher education and the students have moved back on campus and it is the start of a new year. As of today I am 47 days away from my birthday, another start to a new year. There are so many ways to see the start of something new. To be given an opportunity to start again with a clean slate. It doesn't matter when you start, New Year's Day; the start of a new school year; your birthday or even a new day. Everyone gives you an opportunity to start over or make new goals.

I believe that it helps to share your goals and holds you accountable. As I stated that I am 47 days away from my birthday (yes my 47th birthday) and I have shared in the past, I am not great or consistent with adding strength training to my workouts. I do do it, but sporadically. So my goal for these 47 days is to add the following routine daily:
1. pushups
2. planks
3. bridges
4. bicep curls (5lb weights/1 set)
5. squats (body weight)

I am hoping that this will become a new habit for me and a priority.

While others start a new school year I too am starting school. This adds to my schedule and every decision I make, every thing I decide to do has to work into and around my work, training and school schedule (not in that particular order). These will be my priorities and my goals will be based on these disciplines.

Looking ahead not every day will be perfect, which I discovered yesterday during a training run. However, every day is a new opportunity to become stronger, smarter, and better. Yesterday, I had to push myself out the door and when I finally started my run, I was tired and in my head too much. It was a tough training run. I have always believed that when training for an endurance event you will have good days and bad days. The bad days do not define you but you can learn so much form them. And the best thing about training is you have another day tomorrow and a clean slate. 

This morning, even though it was not on my schedule, I got up  and went for a 3 mile run. I had to clear the negative thoughts out of my head. It was a beautiful morning and it was just what I needed. A clean slate, a new morning, working towards new goals. Also when you have a bad day, think about how far you have come. I looked back on my August schedule and I know, I have accomplished a lot and have come a long way. One bad day does not define you and you always have a clean slate tomorrow.

Motivation vs Discipline

Recently I saw two quotes that spoke volumes to me. The first was:

"Set goals that scare you and excite you at the same time"

The second was:

"You will never always be motivated, you have to learn to be disciplined"

Well I am embarking on a new journey this week. I am back in grad school to pursue my Ed.D. in Higher Education Administration. I am doing this full time while continuing to work and train for the endurance races that I love. I know this will not be easy but it is what I want to do and I will make it happen.

I know for a fact I will not be motivated all the time. I know it will take discipline and hard work over the next three years but if you want it badly enough you will find a way to make it work. I can tell you I am scared. I am afraid of failure, of not being able to get everything done, and not living up to my own goals. However, I can also say that I am excited for the next few years to see what lies ahead. I am excited about pursuing something I have wanted for a long time.

Discipline will play a very important roll in my life over the next few years. I can not let my workouts slide, so morning workouts will be a priority. I will be rising before the sun, on most days, to get my training done. Work and travel will continue as usual but I will have to set boundaries in order to make time for my school work.

I am a true believer of you will never know unless you try and never give up even if it didn't go well the first time. I know I started my doctorate a few years back and was not able to complete it at the time. However, I know that the program I started was not the best for me. This time I researched graduate programs that would work with my schedule but would also challenge me.

Along with going back to school, I am continuing to set goals for myself that scare me and excite me all at the same time within the endurance sports world. And as I plot out my plan a bit more I will share goals with you very soon. Stay tuned for that...I think a few of you will be very excited to hear all about them!

In the mean time, "myfitnesspal.com" announced today that I have been logging consistently for three years. Talk about discipline. Every day I log every piece of food that I take in. I started this journey three years ago when I wanted to lose some weight. I lost the first 25 pounds on my own with the help of "myfitnesspal". I continued to use my fitness pal after I was diagnosed with diabetes. I used it to record my food so I could share it with my diabetes coach. I record everything...the good, the bad, and the ugly. And since having the surgery I continue to record, even while in the hospital after surgery I recorded the water and chicken broth I took in!! This has become more than a habit for me...it has become a way of life!

I have fallen in love...

So did that title catch your eye?

Maybe I should finish my thought. I have fallen in love with triathlons again! I did my first triathlon in June of 2001 and ended up doing two that summer. I then took a few years off and focused on my running instead. As the years went by I did open water swims, some biking and running but didn't put them all together again until 2010 or 2011. I enjoyed the competition and the training but as the years went and my physical health and body went down hill it started to become a struggle and it was no longer fun.

As a result of my surgery, I have been given an awesome opportunity to push myself. I have been reintroduced to a sport that I once enjoyed and today a sport I love! I have always loved to swim and I still do. In the past I did the bike to get through it but now I actually enjoy the ride and look forward to my bike workouts. And I have always loved to run but now it is easier and faster! In fact compared to when I carried around over 100 extra pounds I some days feel like I am running on air.

Also, as a result of being a part of this fabulous endurance community (running & triathlon) I have been able to meet some incredible friends. Yesterday I was able to compete with two wonderful friends. It makes the day so much better when you can push each other and support each other. A special shout out to these two special ladies who both placed in their age groups!!

In the first year post surgery, since July 26, 2016 I completed 12 races (triathlons,running, and cycling) I completed 3 5ks; a 4 miler, a 5 miler 3 half marathons, a marathon a 30+ mile bike ride, and 2 triathlons. Here is an inside secret...I don't plan to slow down!

Now starting my second year post surgery I completed another triathlon in Old Forge, NY. It was a great day for a race. The water temperature was 72 degrees and with overcast skies and a light wind it kept the temperature down throughout the race.

Yesterday's triathlon was an intermediate distance; 600 meter swim, 22+ mile bike and a 4 mile run. My overall time was 2:39:33 and I finished 10th in my age group. The course was tough, with some serious climbs, but you may find this unusual for me to say, I loved it! I am certainly not saying it was easy but I felt strong throughout the whole race.

I celebrated my accomplishment with some Byrne Dairy  Chocolate Milk and admiring the medal that was given out at the end. I think that this one is one of my favorites. I love the antlers that are part of the medal design. It will remind me of the encounter I had on the bike course. A friend of mine said be careful of deer while on the bike course. As I was starting the second half of the course, and about to start an uphill climb, I noticed two beautiful fawns in the woods off to my right.

I thought the fawns were going to turn and run back into the woods. However, one of the cuties, he must be the dare devil in the family, decided to run across the road right in front of me. I slammed on my breaks so I wouldn't hurt my furry friend. Then I swore a few times because now I had to start the climb from point zero without any momentum. Thanks Bambi!!

I thought this was going to be my last triathlon of the 2017 season. However, this weekend while surfing the net, I discovered that I am not traveling the weekend of September 16 & 17 and there area a few triathlons to choose from locally. I am thinking about doing the DeRuyter Triathlon on September 16th. I have done this race before and I love it. It is fun and a great way to end the season! So what will this second year post surgery bring me? I don't know but I am excited for the possibilities!!

At the finish line!

On a side note...I want to take this opportunity to thank this beautiful woman and her husband for being wonderful friends and awesome cheerleaders. At the lowest point of my athletic career I was finishing my half ironman in Jamesville, NY. I was the last person on the course, sick to my stomach and awful leg cramps but I moved forward. As the many associated with the race were gone for the day and the crew was packing up around me, two amazing volunteers, Mary and Shawn were waiting for me at the last water stop. I will never forget their support and from that day a wonderful friendship was started. It was so great to see you both this past weekend!!

SWIM BIKE RUN!!