Sorry for the blogging hiatus, y'all! It's always funny to me when people say "it's the busy season" because every season is the busy season! I do have to admit, this year went by incredibly fast!
The past few nights have seen very little sleep - partly due to stress, but partly due to my neighbor who is putting in a new driveway. The tree guys arrived at 6:30 the other morning and were bull-dozing trees behind my house. Yup - right of way means you can kill things for convenience.
I started thinking back to just a few years ago - when I was in college, I didn't even shower and get ready to go out until 10PM. Now, a few nights of going to bed at midnight and I'm burnt toast. When did that happen? When did high schoolers start carrying around blackberries and Iphones? All of this got me thinking about milestones. At 24, I pretty much have 1 birthday milestone coming up, but after that - is 30 as exciting as making it to 16, 18, 21?
With all of that, I decided to start making more milestones. Ironmans count. Time with friends counts. Pillow talk counts. Hopefully, with the help of this self-indulgent medium, I'll be able to keep track of these mini-milestones a bit better.
Doing 2-3 workouts a day in my first 2 weeks back in training is a major milestone! Never done that before and I'm hoping that starting off right will lead to big dividends later on.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Busy little (Mandy) B(ee)
"If I could escape, and recreate a place that's my own world. And I could be your favorite girl, forever, perfectly together, now tell me boy, now wouldn't that be sweet?
If I could be sweet, I know I've been a real bad girl. I didn't mean for you to get hurt whatsoever, we can make it better, now tell me boy, now wouldn't that be sweet. The sweet escape." - Gwen Stefani
Well, my dear readers, it has been a fun-filled weekend here in Mandy-land! Friday was a night out with family and friends - it's so nice getting to catch up with everyone and I love New Englanders - it doesn't matter the weather, they are game for any outing!
Saturday Sam and I headed out for my longest ride since Ironman. 2 hours followed by a 20-30 minute brick and core work- you may laugh, but it was pushing it! The orders were to find a rolling/hilly course, but keep heart rate low and stay seated on the climbs. After a breakfast that would have fueled me thru a ride 3x as long, we geared up and got on bikes. The night before we ran into Bryan (a Cat 2 cyclist) and he made the comment - "there is no such thing as bad weather if you have the right gear". He was right. The temp didn't break 31, but we stayed toasty.
Heading out of town, there was a trailhead I had spotted the week prior. Bow hunting signs were posted, but it looked like a fun place to explore - I thought it would be dirt road. Mind you, I currently ride a POS road bike for training with the cheapest components you can buy. Sam on the other hand, was riding a brand new super six. A cross racer at heart, there was no way the boy could say no to some off-road adventuring! The "dirt road" ended up being more of a single-track path that traveled along the risers over the housatonic river. It was quiet, windless and just plain gorgeous. I got a taste for cross riding and will def. be racing that next year!
The path popped us out about 40 minutes later onto a dirt road that is a true running mecca. It was fun to bomb down the dirt descents and try to climb out of them w/0 the rear wheel skidding away.
We continued the ride toward Kent, veering off the main road to cross the Covered Bull's Bridge and ride along the dirt road thru the Indian reservation. Refueling on this ride meant stopping for tea and hot chocolate and then riding home the way we came. Amazingly, neither of us got flat tires and it was the perfect workout. I can't wait to run in there!
The transition run went better than expected. My new neighbors are all so nice - I'm known as "pigtails with puppy" and it's awesome encouragement.
After thawing out a bit, we went into the city for the Koru DesigNZ launch party - a fashion and jewelery line started by my cycling teammate and women's team captain, Peta Takai. The C-dale crew rolled mob deep - and after a fun vegetarian pan-Asian dinner, we made our way to the Tribeca bar for the party.
Sadly, I didn't bring my camera for the workouts, but I will post some pictures from the launch party. In the meantime, go visit Peta's website.
Today was a blast - a silent run thru Steep Rock land trust. The snow was still falling hard this afternoon in NorthWest CT - with the elevation, we get more snow than other parts of the state. It was pure joy blinking the snowflakes from my eyelashes and making the only (human)footprints that would appear in Steep Rock today. While it wasn't one of those "effortless" runs, things are certainly getting better after my first week of training.
I'm looking forward to Spain in February, but it's nice to know I can find my own "sweet escapes" right here.
If I could be sweet, I know I've been a real bad girl. I didn't mean for you to get hurt whatsoever, we can make it better, now tell me boy, now wouldn't that be sweet. The sweet escape." - Gwen Stefani
Well, my dear readers, it has been a fun-filled weekend here in Mandy-land! Friday was a night out with family and friends - it's so nice getting to catch up with everyone and I love New Englanders - it doesn't matter the weather, they are game for any outing!
Saturday Sam and I headed out for my longest ride since Ironman. 2 hours followed by a 20-30 minute brick and core work- you may laugh, but it was pushing it! The orders were to find a rolling/hilly course, but keep heart rate low and stay seated on the climbs. After a breakfast that would have fueled me thru a ride 3x as long, we geared up and got on bikes. The night before we ran into Bryan (a Cat 2 cyclist) and he made the comment - "there is no such thing as bad weather if you have the right gear". He was right. The temp didn't break 31, but we stayed toasty.
Heading out of town, there was a trailhead I had spotted the week prior. Bow hunting signs were posted, but it looked like a fun place to explore - I thought it would be dirt road. Mind you, I currently ride a POS road bike for training with the cheapest components you can buy. Sam on the other hand, was riding a brand new super six. A cross racer at heart, there was no way the boy could say no to some off-road adventuring! The "dirt road" ended up being more of a single-track path that traveled along the risers over the housatonic river. It was quiet, windless and just plain gorgeous. I got a taste for cross riding and will def. be racing that next year!
The path popped us out about 40 minutes later onto a dirt road that is a true running mecca. It was fun to bomb down the dirt descents and try to climb out of them w/0 the rear wheel skidding away.
We continued the ride toward Kent, veering off the main road to cross the Covered Bull's Bridge and ride along the dirt road thru the Indian reservation. Refueling on this ride meant stopping for tea and hot chocolate and then riding home the way we came. Amazingly, neither of us got flat tires and it was the perfect workout. I can't wait to run in there!
The transition run went better than expected. My new neighbors are all so nice - I'm known as "pigtails with puppy" and it's awesome encouragement.
After thawing out a bit, we went into the city for the Koru DesigNZ launch party - a fashion and jewelery line started by my cycling teammate and women's team captain, Peta Takai. The C-dale crew rolled mob deep - and after a fun vegetarian pan-Asian dinner, we made our way to the Tribeca bar for the party.
Sadly, I didn't bring my camera for the workouts, but I will post some pictures from the launch party. In the meantime, go visit Peta's website.
Today was a blast - a silent run thru Steep Rock land trust. The snow was still falling hard this afternoon in NorthWest CT - with the elevation, we get more snow than other parts of the state. It was pure joy blinking the snowflakes from my eyelashes and making the only (human)footprints that would appear in Steep Rock today. While it wasn't one of those "effortless" runs, things are certainly getting better after my first week of training.
I'm looking forward to Spain in February, but it's nice to know I can find my own "sweet escapes" right here.
Friday, December 5, 2008
A Friday Observation
Today is a great day - Woke up early to walk the dog, hopped on my bike, got tons of work done and will head to the pool soon.
I thought I'd start a little series here - every once in a while - post "observation of the day". It may be more like "wish of the day" or "crabby comment of the day", but just go with it.
Today's observation: I am jealous of Advent Calendars. Yes, I get 8 nights of Channukah, and depending on who I'm dating, I get a Christmas present (Santa loves good Jewish girls) - but I love the idea of counting down days, preferably with pop-open boxes filled with chocolate. New business venture, perhaps?
Ok, so that wasn't so painful - was it?
I thought I'd start a little series here - every once in a while - post "observation of the day". It may be more like "wish of the day" or "crabby comment of the day", but just go with it.
Today's observation: I am jealous of Advent Calendars. Yes, I get 8 nights of Channukah, and depending on who I'm dating, I get a Christmas present (Santa loves good Jewish girls) - but I love the idea of counting down days, preferably with pop-open boxes filled with chocolate. New business venture, perhaps?
Ok, so that wasn't so painful - was it?
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Shock and Awe
"Grab hold of her feet before she floats of the floor. Before she floats out that door. You want to put her in your pocket." The White Stripes
I emailed coach E-Rock last night... I am to contact him every day - yup, pretty much the coolest thing ever for a hyper-active chatterbox that loves talking tri! On Sunday night Eric sent me my training plan for the week. "Consistency is key this week", he said - yup, got it. I always seem to forget how out of touch my mind is with my body during the off season. My brain says "yes, you can run 18 miles at a 7:02 pace" but my body can barely shuffle thru a 40 minute easy run. "Tune out" He said.
In all honesty, I wasn't sure I'd get in any of the workouts E gave me, but I did as he said, tuned out and just suffered thru. Here we are on day 3. It's been a busy day of moving furniture from storage and getting the house in order - Can't wait for the grand unveiling!
So tonight I got my bike all set up in front of the TV (SO much good tv tivo'd) - I ride for about 30 seconds and my derailer(sp?) cracked clear in half. Yup. Mandy goes boom - thankfully into the plush new (to me) living room set!
So today's workout was fouled up, but I'll get to the shop in the AM and get in a good ride and swim tomorrow and continue with the training plan I'm calling "shock and awe". 50 x 50 - can't wait! Consistency - it's amazing how much we take for granted when we're fit... I know how bad I feel 5 lbs overweight - I can't imagine carrying around any more than that... it makes something challenging that much more so. Then again, I don't do this stuff because it's easy - I do it because I love the challenge, I love to push, I love to shock and awe (sometimes at Texas Hold 'Em).
Rock on y'all!
I emailed coach E-Rock last night... I am to contact him every day - yup, pretty much the coolest thing ever for a hyper-active chatterbox that loves talking tri! On Sunday night Eric sent me my training plan for the week. "Consistency is key this week", he said - yup, got it. I always seem to forget how out of touch my mind is with my body during the off season. My brain says "yes, you can run 18 miles at a 7:02 pace" but my body can barely shuffle thru a 40 minute easy run. "Tune out" He said.
In all honesty, I wasn't sure I'd get in any of the workouts E gave me, but I did as he said, tuned out and just suffered thru. Here we are on day 3. It's been a busy day of moving furniture from storage and getting the house in order - Can't wait for the grand unveiling!
So tonight I got my bike all set up in front of the TV (SO much good tv tivo'd) - I ride for about 30 seconds and my derailer(sp?) cracked clear in half. Yup. Mandy goes boom - thankfully into the plush new (to me) living room set!
So today's workout was fouled up, but I'll get to the shop in the AM and get in a good ride and swim tomorrow and continue with the training plan I'm calling "shock and awe". 50 x 50 - can't wait! Consistency - it's amazing how much we take for granted when we're fit... I know how bad I feel 5 lbs overweight - I can't imagine carrying around any more than that... it makes something challenging that much more so. Then again, I don't do this stuff because it's easy - I do it because I love the challenge, I love to push, I love to shock and awe (sometimes at Texas Hold 'Em).
Rock on y'all!
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Me and my buddy
today was day 2 of my training with coach Eric...wasn't sure I'd get in either workout and did both! And they went well!
Ok, off to play texas hold 'em with 2 pro downhillers - wish me luck!
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T
Monday, December 1, 2008
Pure Sweet Hell
Yes, this movie rocks - go watch it, and then go ride your road bike (I mean, cross bike) in the mud.
HUGE congrats to someone who I know enjoys that pure sweet hell - Mr. Michael Seiler - the Kentucky cyclocross state champion - WOOT! M also has an awesome blog, not to mention I'm pretty fond of his girls!
HUGE congrats to someone who I know enjoys that pure sweet hell - Mr. Michael Seiler - the Kentucky cyclocross state champion - WOOT! M also has an awesome blog, not to mention I'm pretty fond of his girls!
Sunday night YUM
It was like the last supper - my training for 2009 officially starts TODAY! That means I'm not only getting off my badonkadonk, but I'm also (ahem) eating healthy. Yes, you may say, you are vegetarian and have a very clean diet - oh, but dear reader, do you know my love for all things sweet, baked and delicious?!
Thankfully, I have been able to pawn off my dessert creations on others - family, Sam and the C-dale crew, the doctors and nurses at the office, the post man (Surprise! There's a cookie in the mailbox for you! He didn't take it the first day, so I put a note on it the day after). Last night I decided I needed a new "decadent/healthy" dessert, so I checked a blog that is fantastic - take a look HERE
Last night we had home-made (by my friend Michael) corn chowder soup, swiss cheese grilled cheese on Newfoundland bread (a whole-wheat, molasses bread - also by Michael), decorative veggies and vegan double-layer pumpkin cheesecake. The meal wasn't all selfish - while I am vegetarian (NOT vegan), my whole family is lactose intolerant - vegan recipes do the trick, esp. when it comes to dessert - though smart balance does make a good substitute in times of need.
While it is definitely not Junior's cheesecake (Gawd I miss Brooklyn) - it was a nice consistency. OH! And I made a granola crust - See E-Rock - I'm trying!
I may or may not have had a slice after breakfast this AM, but mercifully (for my diet that is), I'm getting it out of the house and into someone else's kitchen.
Here are a few pics of the lovely finished product. The lighting makes it look very orange, but it is actually a pretty pale-peach color.
Off for a run and a swim - more on that later!
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