How the Olympics Inspire!

February 22 was the anniversary of the 1980 Miracle on Ice. On this same day, the women’s hockey team beat Canada after a 20-year drought. The last time the US Team beat Canada, at the Olympics, was 1998 at the Nagano games in Japan. The other highlight of the day was the men’s curling team beat the Canadian team, which was the Olympic defending champions. The US curling team went on to win gold at the games. And let’s not forget during this past week, that the US women (Diggins & Randall) won the first ever Gold for the US in cross country skiing!

When the women’s hockey team won the gold medal, it brought me back to 20 years ago. I was living and working at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado that year. Many of the 1998 winter Olympic athletes were living at the training center before they left for Japan, including the women’s hockey team. Prior to the start of the Olympics, I was able to watch the last exposition game of the US vs Canada in Colorado. The US won that night and went on to beat Canada a few weeks later for the first gold medal in Olympic women’s hockey. I cannot believe it was 20 years ago, it feels like yesterday. I am excited for 2018 Olympic team, as they never gave up the fight!

As you watch the games, it is obvious that these athletes did not wake up one day and say I think I will try this. It has been years of training and years of early morning wake up calls that get you to the podium, never mind the Olympics themselves. Of course, the 15 and 17-year-old Olympic gold medal winners probably did not get up as many times as the 30-year-old Olympic athletes. Imagine what their futures hold for them. 

I came to terms many years ago that I would not be an Olympic athlete (I wanted to be a downhill skier). However, as I watch the athletes from curling to luge to the biathlon I realize I can continue to train and work to be the best athlete I can be. I can get up before the sun and push myself to do the best that I can. I do not have to compete against anyone else but against myself. I can compete against the doubts and the voices that say I am not good enough.

This past week I have been emotionally and physically exhausted. Between my workouts, work, and schoolwork I was spent. We all will have days or weeks like this, and we have to decide will it beat us. We are all stronger than we think and if it is important to us, we will find a way to get it done.

So when that alarm goes off tomorrow morning will I let it beat me or will I let it inspire me? Will I attack the day to be the best athlete I can be? I will remind myself that each day will get me closer to my goals. I may never stand on a podium but I won’t stop trying!

I was actually home...

So this week I didn't travel anywhere!! I was able to unpack my suitcase and stay put...I didn't know what to do with myself! On Wednesday, February 14th I took a personal day from work...Oh how I looked forward to that day. It ended up being a beautiful day, the sun was shining and I decided to celebrate life.

I had a speed workout on the training schedule, mile repeats that day. I headed out of my house to complete the workout and that morning the first mile lied to me. I felt so sluggish and did not want to continue but I pushed myself with each step. I didn't pay attention to my times while I was running I just did the run and tried to stay out of my head. In the end I had negative splits. Every mile was faster than the last one and my final mile was one of my fastest. Oh how your mind and body can lie to you!!

Once I finished my run I got changed and headed for the slopes. The sun was shining, it was a bit warm, but the skiing was fabulous. It was the kind of conditions that I love, packed powder, well groomed and a bit granular. Two hours of uninterrupted skiing. I was in such a good space. The best part I couldn't check my work emails. In order to check emails I need my glasses...except I can't ski with my glasses...oh well...the world didn't come to an end!

I finished the day attending a panel of speakers at work who focused on higher education trends, right up my alley. I loved it and the panel was fabulous! And of course after the panel I had to go to the library to do my own school work. It was a great day and I am so glad I took the day off!!

Today I had a 10 mile training run. It had snowed overnight and was a bit chilly compared to earlier this week. It was a pretty good run...I felt good but some miles were better than others. The one thing I hate is when nature calls and I have to find a place to go. When you are running through neighborhoods it is not easy but today I was running near farm fields which don't give you a lot of places to hide during the winter. Sorry...TMI...just things I think about when I run.


A highlight during my run, which happened about mile 6, a beautiful, brilliant red cardinal flew right in front of me and landed in a tree along the side of the road. As I passed by the tree the cardinal looked at me and flew away.

I have heard this saying throughout my life and I believe it. People say that when a cardinal appears there are angels near you. I often think of my mom or other family members who have become angels when I see a cardinal out a window or in other locations. However, today I saw when on my run and at that moment I knew the exact angel that was near me. I think about this particular angel during my workouts and always during races. Thank you Brendan I needed you today and you always know when to show up!

After finishing my run I treated myself to a fabulous breakfast. I was hungry and it hit the spot. I also tried out a new chocolate milk as an award for my workout. I love chocolate milk and it is a great recovery drink. I am a huge Byrne Dairy fan but I may have a new favorite. I highly recommend Fairlife reduced fat Chocolate milk. It was soooo good and soooo yummy. It is low in sugar and high in protein! I use their regular non-fat milk that I wanted to try their chocolate milk and it is a winner!!

I hope you all have a fabulous week. Keep moving and celebrate life!!

Travel and Training...

Training takes dedication and discipline. And when you travel for your job it takes a lot of extra dedication and discipline! I am a true believer if you really want something you will find a way if not you will find an excuse.

When I am on the road I usually just pack my running shoes because that is the easiest to do on the road. Many hotels don't have pools and those that do they are wicked small, I get dizzy doing laps. And of course most "fitness centers" in hotels barely have a treadmill never mind a bike.

Over the first 11 days of February I traveled to three different cities. I was in NYC, Chicago, and Boston. For all three trips I packed my shoes and many, many layers since it was soooo cold throughout the country. In NY I did a loop of several miles up 5th avenue and back down 6th avenue. For some reason every time I run in NYC my times are really fast...I think it is because I am trying to beat the intersections and avoid the tourist!!

Chicago...my happy place! I was able to run twice through this windy city! The first day was early in the morning just as the sun was coming up. It had snowed the night before so the city was so beautiful as the sun reflected off the fresh snow. It was cold but so beautiful. And you have to love a place that makes clearing the snow on the river walk a priority!

Where the discipline came in on this trip was on Wednesday morning. We were had to head to the airport by 8:30 AM which meant I had to head out before the sun rose. Once again I put the layers on and headed out for my run. Unlike the day before where I watched the sun rise on this morning the snow was falling around me. The city was peaceful but once again so beautiful along the lake! I always look forward to running when I am in Chicago!

A day after returning from Chicago I unpacked my suitcase and repacked for a trip to Boston and once again my sneakers were coming with me. I was in Boston over a long weekend but did my runs in the suburb of Newton. I actually ran along the Boston Marathon route 16 to Commonwealth Ave. There were so many people training both Saturday and Sunday and I discovered that the Newton Fire Station on the corner of 16 and Comm Ave lets runners use their bathroom...always good to know.

I am home for the next two weeks but soon enough my bags will be packed again! Training is always an adventure!!

After reflecting...I am ready to start...

So after taking the month of January to reflect on 2017 and I am now ready to focus on 2018. I am ready to make a few changes...add a few things... and become a stronger and better person. 2018 I hope you grant me this mulligan!

I reflected on not only what I did during 2017 but also on what I did not accomplish during 2017. I reviewed the list of resolutions I came up with at the end of 2017 and decided I needed to trim them down and really focus on what I really wanted. I also did a WOOP exercise for each resolution idea (don't worry I won't share all of it with you).

Do you know what I mean by a WOOP exercise? I was first introduced to this exercise by a friend who presented it at a networking event. During a WOOP exercise you pick a goal or resolution and break it down into four parts; Wish, Outcome, Obstacles, and Plan. By breaking your goals or resolutions down you can anticipate what might get in your way from achieving them.

So what will I focus on this year...Last year my word for 2017 was Strength...I am going to continue to use Strength but I have also added Control...worry about what I can control...not what I can't! However, my unofficial word for 2018 is WORK...As I was reflecting on things this past month I realized there is one thing I am always doing and that is work...not just the kind that I get paid for but other work. I wake up in the morning and I WORKOUT...then I go to WORK...after work I do SCHOOL WORK! And every single one of these is very important to me and is a priority.

In January I started writing and meditating in the morning. Granted some mornings I missed but worked hard to get it done. Even though I missed last Sunday I have brought my blog back into my life and plan to continue. Strength Training is a huge goal of mine...I want to get stronger and build my muscles which can help me with my endurance training and weight loss. I want this to be a habit and workout that is just as important as my swim, bike, and run workouts. Slowly I have added this in during the week. Not quite a habit yet.

As far as finances are concerned, I have opened two new savings accounts and have my money automatically moved into them...one step at a time. I decided to cut a few of my finance goals out and focus on just 1 or 2 and achieve those first. I need to take this one step at a time and control what I can control! On a totally different note I want to learn how to make pie crust and I need to finish my window/medal project (it's only been 3 years)!!

Of course throughout the year there will be full and half marathons...sprint triathlons and half ironmans and as I achieve the goals I have set above...it is my plan that these endurance events will be more and more successful!  I decided to break my goals/resolutions down in order to make them achievable. Looking at my large list from last year ... I did not accomplish a majority of my resolutions. I want 2018 to be different!

I am hoping for a successful 2018 not only for me but for all of you! I will keep you posted!!

For now great job Patriots! I am still so proud! Pitchers and Catchers arrive to spring training on February 13...Go Red Sox...The Celtics are in first place and the Bruins are in second! All is good!

Where I Struggle and Other Resolutions

Today was a really nice day in Central NY. We hit temperatures in the 40s and it was mostly sunny. Much different than the last few weeks around here so believe me I enjoyed it. I volunteered to work a snow shoe race at Beak & Skiff Apple Orchard. It was my first time witnessing a snow shoe race and it was quite fun. I do recreational snow shoeing but I have never competed. When you compete in a snow shoe race you use much smaller snow shoes than the recreational ones and you seem to expense a lot more energy than when you just run. Either way I had a great time and I am so glad I did it.

After the race I had some time to kill before I met my friend Cindy for brunch so I decided to get my run in early instead of waiting until later in the day. I went to Jamesville Beach Park and ran from there. I had to do three miles total and by the time the run was over I had done negative splits. Each mile got faster and I felt great 1 week following the half marathon. Since the park is officially closed for the winter the only place you can park is near the "dog park" area. the dog park area is an open field covered in snow where the dogs can run around unleashed. I had so many dogs come up to me to say hi and they were so excited to be at the park. I have to say it was the happiest place on earth...better than Disney World!!

Following that I met my friend Cindy at the Ruston's Diner in Jamesville. It was good to catch up with her since it has been so long! And I have to admit that my brunch/lunch was fabulous. I am sharing this with you because one of my New Year's Resolutions was to try something new every month. And in January I attended a snow shoe race and went to a diner I have never been. I have always wanted to go to that diner and for several years I lived less than five minutes away but never went...but now that is checked off the list.

Still reflecting on the year and trying to figure things out but there is one thing I am struggling with. As I have shared in the past the Bariatric Surgery is a tool and after the first 12 - 18 months the honeymoon is over and now the real work begins. I struggle with evening eating, after dinner eating...or right before dinner eating if I have gone too long between meals (like tonight). I plan out my breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks throughout the day. Everything is weighed, measured, and calculated. I record everything I eat but something happens at night when I get home from the library and I start making my meals for the next day. It is becomes a bite of this, or a taste of that...sometimes it becomes mindless. Often times I figure out what I ate and I record that too but I can't let this go on anymore. This could be the reason why I am struggling to lose the last 8 - 12 pounds I would like to lose. I need to focus on this and come up with a plan. There is no easy way...it's always a struggle!!

PS: GO PATRIOTS!!! So excited!!

A great way to kick of my 2018 race calendar!

How did you kick off your 2018? Since it is still January I am still reflecting on the past year and trying to make sure the resolutions I would like to do are a good fit as I shared during my last post. However, yesterday I competed my first endurance race of 2018!

Back in March of 2017 I was visiting a wonderful friend and her family for a few days in Naples, FL. Knowing that I do compete in races they shared with me that Naples has a half marathon in January. After checking it out I made the decision to register and hoped they would want my company again (they did).

On Thursday, January 11th I left upstate NY and some crazy weather patterns (50 degrees to sub zero in the matter of hours) to enjoy the sunshine and warmth of Florida. I have not been disappointed, although I would not mind it a tad bit warmer but I am not complaining. As I sit and write this post I am by my friends pool enjoying the sunshine!

The news reports regarding the weather was a cold front was coming in and with the wind chill it could feel like 30 degrees on Sunday morning. I know my northern friends are laughing at this. Although with the sun and cool temperatures it was perfect running weather, I was a bit nervous because I did not pack for these conditions.

The morning of the race to me was cold but I was going to make the best of it...at least there wasn't snow! I put on my running top, added a long sleeve throw away shirt and my friend Meghan lent me a pair of gloves. I was ready to go. I drove to the start and  there an hour before the gun was to go off. This was such a well organized event. They had parking for the runners in  area parking garages all very close to the start and finish lines with volunteers directing you to the entrances. There was plenty of port-o-potties for us nervous runners and volunteers walking around with "ask me" signs to answer any questions you may have had about the race.

The race was a mass start (with chip times) so we did not have to worry about corrals etc. The gun went off right at 7 AM and we were ready to go before the sun came up. I started my run talking myself though the first mile...don't go out to quickly...set your own pace...run your own race...if you feel good you are probably going way to fast.

Every mile marker on the course had a race clock. As I passed each mile I couldn't believe the times I was seeing. I didn't have my Garmin watch with me during this race because two days earlier it had died on me. I felt a bit naked but following the words of my coach and a few friends I listened to my body to indicate how was feeling. I FELT GREAT! My speed was good and I wasn't feeling tired. I was getting a bit nervous that I was going to hit a wall but that never happened, instead I got a bit faster.

One thing I experienced on this course that has never happened before, between mile 7 & 8 we passed a small church. It was before 9 AM so mass hadn't happened started. Out in front of the church was the Parrish priest sprinkling holy water on the runners as they went by! It made me smile but also reminded me that I was using the gifts that God game me and he was OK with that on a Sunday morning! On the way back from the out and back we passed the church again. This time the bells were ringing to indicated the start of the service and I took it as a sign...I was almost done and I was going to be ok!

I finished the race with a total time of 2:22:16...which was a PR and I had taken over 13 minutes off my time! They did advertise this course as a Flat and Fast course and they were not lying!! It was a wonderful race. Well organized with plenty of volunteers and a great course. It also was nice to have two very dear friends at the finish to cheer me on!

It was a great way to kick off 2018 and look forward to this next year and all the goals I have set! If you are ever in Florida in January and you want to run a half marathon...I strongly encourage you to put this one on you list! I know I will be back again!

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