First Day Back at it

I've pretty much managed to ruin my marriage and some other relationships in my efforts toward self-improvement. I realize this doesn't make much sense, so I have decided today to embark on an entirely different approach.

I am most happy and free when I am riding on my lovely racing bike. I had a recent spill with this bike in an unfortunate situation in more ways that I care to explain, but all is well with me and. I slapped down some bills and got the nice guys at the bike shop to bring her back to her glory.

My goal through all this is to keep my eye on the prize-- what is that? Improving my life. Being happy and loving my family and friends. These things come with hard work. I am back on track off of a bad path and onto the better one. I will soon go back to work full-time- I was just offered a very good job and I accepted, so I will be back in the game again. It's all coming together.

FIVE FAVORITE THINGS:
1. strength
2. friends
3. family
4. my boys
5. freedom

RAIN, RAIN, RAIN

It's supposed to rain all week long. That means no cycling this week. Oh well, I'll survive I suppose. I need to focus on swimming anyway, as the Chesapeake Bay swim nears.

I had a restful weekend. Didn't do anything. I was actually rather sore all weekend long from a personal training session I had on Thursday.

Today I plan to do some running on the treadmill, a bit of time on the arc trainer and then Iron Maidens and my personal training appointment. That may sound like a lot, but it's actually just all in about 2.5 hours. These are the last days I'll be able to work out like this, as I am seeking a full-time job.

I've lost more weight. I'm not really trying, but I haven't had much of an appetite over the last week and a half. Just how it is I suppose. I'm thinner now than I was in my 20s. Kindof a good feeling actually. What it shows is that anything is indeed possible if you commit yourself to it. 42 is the new 22!!

FIVE FAVORITE THINGS:

1. fresh hot bagels
2. Italian dark roast coffee
3. a full night's sleep
4. a smile that's been on my face for some time now
5. oh, as always, lovely green eyes.

RAINY DAYS

It's supposed to rain all week long. I hate that. I will be doing most of my working out it seems now at the gym. I will focus on swimming and running on the boring treadmill.

It has been a fun weekend. I bought all of my tomato plants and flowers for the patio. I haven't planted them yet though. That's the worst part.

I really haven't done much in the line of exercise this weekend- I guess I will be more serious about that on Monday-- I am very very sore from my Thursday personal training appointment - I still can't lift my arms up all the way.

FIVE FAVORITE THINGS:

1. coffee
2. new clothes
3. coffee
4. a good nap
5. dunno

VERY VERY SORE

Well, yesterday was my first day back with my personal trainer, Jason. I haven't had a session with him in a month so it was a killer. I've lost a bit of my strength but I am confident it will return-- I am very sore today. He was not easy on me at all. That being said- I am actually glad to be sore because I want to get back to where I was strengthwise.

It is very beautiful out today after a very rainy day yesterday. I got soaked about three or four times coming and going as I do but I survived.

I am not going to do any working out today because I can barely move. Tomorrow I will do a nice easy 5K run and then some cycling. In fact, it's going to be a big cycling weekend for me. As a mother's day treat, I get the afternoon to myself to do a long lovely bike ride- I'm hoping to go out on the O& D and ride about 60 to 75 miles at a nice fun pace. I am looking forward to it.

Things are going much better. They took a huge turn for the better yesterday and I am very happy about that.

FIVE FAVORITE THINGS

1. My goodness, green eyes.
2. my favorites....
an orange and dark chocolate
3. the aftermath of a good workout
4. feeling much better than I did on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday
5. something else that's a secret.

Eye on the prize

So here I am, a few races ahead of me in the next few months and I am going to continue on this self-improvement. I started this blog with the question- is the glass half empty or half full? It is indeed half full, at times though it's hard to remember this.

It has been a hard week for me for a number of reasons, but I am going to pull out of this and get back on focus. I made it to the gym at 5:30 this morning for a quick workout and am glad I did it. Later today I will start back up with my personal trainer- It's a very important investment for me, particularly right now!

My plan is to lose 15 more pounds and then I want to really improve my running speed. I have a hard time running and I think additional weight loss will help. Wish me luck as I tread on. Today I feel like that character in a fight scene who keeps getting knocked down and you just wish the poor soul would just stay down but he keeps standing back up. That's me. I do always get back up.

FIVE FAVORITE THINGS:
1. focussing on the important things
2. getting up at 5:00 am even when I'm exhausted
3. being strong, even when it's really hard
4. finding the right path after being on a bad one
5. getting back up repeatedly after being knocked down

RUNNING

Running is definitely my weakest link in the triathlon. I am going to focus over the next several months on improving my running- both for endurance and speed. I plan to lose 40 more pounds. Not for appearance reasons (which wouldn't hurt) but so I can run faster.

I went for a nice bike ride last night. Did not see the strange "Yellow Crested" Herons that I usually see in Sligo creek-- but I think they will show again-- I rode to the Prince Georges county border- I don't know how long the ride is- I should just look down on my Cat's Eye and see. I'm riding still a bit slower but getting back to my racing strength.

Today will be my first day back at Iron Maidens. It's been almost a month and I'm looking forward to it. I doubt I will be benching as much as I did in early April, but I am told I can get my muscle and cardio strength back quickly-- I'm happy that I have a good month and half before the Chesapeake Bay swim. I really want to improve my time for this race and also have fun doing it.

I recently learned that a friend of a friend who is older and not generally athletic is going to do her first marathon this October. I am very happy to hear that and plan to sponsor her once I get the proper link-- I will put that link up here on this blog as well so we can all cheer Susan along in her training. I don't know her, but I completely identify with her goals and hope that she has a great journey.

FIVE FAVORITE THINGS:

1. getting back at it.
2. green eyes-- sorry just a huge weakness of mine
3. brisk cycling
4. defying expectations
5. seeing others set really high goals.

BACK AT IT AGAIN!!

Hello,

It's great to be back posting after taking a break for a few weeks while I recovered. I started back at my workouts with a three-mile race-- The Capital Challenge. Yesterday I ran (well I'll give more details lower down) with a team of colleagues from Reuters. It was in a park along the Anacostia river. Very nice and I ran into a bunch of people I know.

Okay, that being said-- it's only been three weeks since my surgery, and I did a little bit of running the night before on the treadmill with little incident but I started feeling a good bit of pain when I was running this race on Wednesday, so I slowed down and then eventually had to turn to a walk/run pattern-- i did finish however. I will always finish a race-

I've been getting back into the cycling too-- I really missed riding my bike and I plan to go out this evening for the third ride this week. We are having great weather and I love being outside. I have the Chesapeake Bay swim coming up in June-- I think I will try to add another 5K run to my list sometime this month just to keep the incentive going.

I have posted a link to my colleague Alan Elsner's website- he has two books published so far: One about the U.S. prison system and a book about his father. Please check this out.

I am disappointed that I could not run at least 9 minute miles in the three mile race, but I didn't want to compromise my health- I'm still a little tender from the running, but feel great and got the ok from my Dr. to do whatever working out I want to do-- That means I will be back to the weight room tomorrow.

FIVE FAVORITE THINGS:

1. sunny warm weather
2. cycling in the evening
3. buying new clothes
4. finishing races
5. stamina

PICTURES

Okay, not too bad for my first triathlon. I have another one in Mid September and I'm now going to do another one mid October in Tucson. I'm looking forward to that one because the running course is perfectly flat and it will be warm.

I'm still tired after the race. I did no working out today and It's kind of nice to take a break. I'll be at the gym tomorrow though because it will be my last workout for a few weeks.

I love this racing bike- It served me very well in this race and will do so in many more races ahead. This is a great sport and this triathlete has only just begun.

FIVE FAVORITE THINGS:
1. red racing bikes
2. warm weather
3. good health
4. good rides
5. my friends and family.

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!

Well today was the big race. I was up and out at 4:45 this morning. It was incredibly cold but my friend Leslie and I were really up for the race. This was her second triathlon and she flew in from Arizona. I'm now going to work on flying out there for a triathlon this fall-- it will be warmer than today's which is most appealing!

A lot of time before the race was spent sorting out the logistics of what I'd wear for each event. With swimming first I had to think out how I could strip off as much of the wet stuff before mounting my bike. It all worked out in the end, but I was very cold as it was in the low 30s.

Swimming was a breeze. In fact I was surprised that all those skinny triathlon runners were such horrible swimmers, flailing about doing side-stroke etc. I feel like I really speeded through the swimming part with eaze.

It was really cold transitioning for the bike ride. Try being in a bathing suit in 30 degrees weather. Once I got on that bike course though, I have to say my face started hurting from smiling so much. It was fabulous. I love my racing bike and I was passing a good many people. My boys saw me on each of the three laps I did on the 10 mile bike course- holding up a "GO MOMMY" sign. It was great.

I can't say the running part was nearly as enjoyable. For one thing about 75 percent of the 2.5 mile course was uphill. Very uphill. I slogged through it nonetheless. I think I did that in about 30 mintues, but I will post the final timings when I get them. It may be slower because it also includes the transition time when I was changing my clothes between each event.

Every part of my body hurts right now. I have a mild fever from being dehydrated and a splitting headache, but as I rehydrate I am feeling better.

It was so great running past my friends and family-- I would have died if they were not there. When I crossed the finish line I was shocked I finished the race. This has been a great journey and it is only the beginning. This racing will be my thing for as long as I can do it. I will post pictures of the finish line and other shots as I get them.

Thank you so much for all of your support. My friends, Mary, Tom, Leslie, the Iron Maidens. My personal trainer Jason, (at times you have nearly killed me over the past few months!), my family Tom, Ben Jack, my parents, my sister Carol and Chris (we adore you Chris). It was great to have Carol, Chris, Tom and Mary, Jason and Helga standing at the worst part of the race- I really felt at that point like I was going to die. -- I didn't thankfully.

Many of you were able to join us afterwards for a celebratory brunch thing at Hamburger Hamlet, that was good- I only wish I could have stuck with my promise of eating a Bleu Cheese Bacon Cheeseburger- Didn't do it-- I ordered a salad and I've been talking about that burger for days-- oh well. I'll make up for it I'm sure.

All in all, this has been likely one of the best days in my life. It's great to accomplish difficult things you set out to do. I hope I can continue this- I certainly plan to. Best wishes to all of you.

I guess several months after starting this blog I can tell you at Mid-life the glass is most definitely HALF FULL not half empty-- and the more we make our journeys to success that glass gets filled. It's a great time and a great life I'm having and I'm grateful for my family, my friends and the grace of God!

BTW- I raised $1,300 for Cure Autism Now- thanks so much for all of your generous support! It's a great organization and your money will go to a great cause!

FIVE FAVORITE THINGS:
1. making it.
2. smiles so strong they hurt my face
3. friends and family being there for me
4. the aches and pains I'm feeling right now because I did a lot to get here
5. heat.

4 DAYS!

Okay, four days left until the race. I'm looking forward to it. I'm actually running a bit faster than usual- I think cutting back a bit on the workouts really helps.

We have a new family member-- his name is Truman Capote. He is very fat and one of his ears is kindof chewed up.

He likes to have his picture taken apparently.

I would like to thank all of you for your support. I've raised nearly $1,000 for Cure Autism Now. I also really appreciate the moral support- this race is a huge deal for me and support from my family and friends has been crucial.

FIVE FAVORITE THINGS:

1. sunshine
2. weeping cherry trees
3. pasta on Saturday night (first time in 2 years!!)
4. fitting into a cool new black suit (okay confession TWO new black suits!)
5. Getting an Ipod Nano to replace my fried MP3 Player.

5 DAYS!!

Ok, so only five days left! I'm toning down my workouts just a bit-- although my personal trainer informs me that on Thursday I should do a heavy workout- the last one before the race. Then on Friday and Saturday easy runs.

Last evening I did a quick 11 mile bike ride- very lovely- It was a really nice evening and now the days are longer and I'm really appreciating the opportunity to end the day with a nice ride. I tried to keep my speed at an average of 22 mph-- On the flat parts I was pretty much 24 to 26 mph and the slight inclines about 16 -18 mph. So I am getting there.

I am very nervous and excited about the race on Sunday- This has been a huge thing for me and It is only the beginning. I'm looking now for a race to do the end of June or early July and then in August I'm doing to do a track racing clinic in Pennsylvania-- I've always been interested in those track bikes (they have no brakes!!)

I did wipe out last night. I forgot to unclip my feet and toppled over. No injuries, just another bruise to the many I have all over my legs. Ragamuffin girl! Well, wish me luck and It's been a great journey, that I plan to continue even after the race.

FIVE FAVORITE THINGS:

1. being almost there
2. being strong
3. being committed
4. longer days
5. sapphire blue skies

LESS THAN A WEEK AWAY!

The race is less than a week away! I'm very excited. While I don't feel like I've trained enough, I think it will be a good race and I am looking forward to it.

I am hoping a couple of my friends will be able to come and cheer me on. But I am not expecting this, because the race is very early in the morning on Sunday. Nonetheless, the support is really welcomed. It's going to be a hard race and having that support would mean a good deal to me.

I've begun to ease back a little in my exercise this week. I plan to do some easy runs, some swiming and a bit of cycling, just to keep the muscles going. I will still do all the weight lifting too, but I'm not going to kill myself this week.

On Sunday I went for a nice leisurely ride. It's very good to have the extended hours to ride. I think I will do some cycling tonight as well if the weather is good. Had a nice swim too, very relaxing.

Here is the link for the race. If you navigate around you can find the course maps, if anyone is choosing to come and cheer me on.

https://www.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=145092&supId=113517400

FIVE FAVORITE THINGS:

1. having a smaller body
2. having nice tight biceps
3. longer days
4. warmer weather
5. keeping my eye on the prize.

Sore, Tired and Sad

The poor Orange Toaster had it's first contact with a mean metal Saab last night- only a little bit of damage- probably a lot to my insurance rates however. It was my fault- I turned into the right-hand lane right into the little Saab 9006 which was crushed all the way down the driver's side. Luckily no one was hurt, but just another hurdle here I suppose.

The Triathlon is less than 2 weeks away- I am getting very nervous about it, but at the same time I am anxious to accomplish this goal-- I am looking ahead to do another triathlon in September.

My personal trainer Jason has changed up my training a bit making me do many more repetitions with heavy weights and for about two days now I can barely lift my arms and my legs, but and abs are killing me-- He says this too should help me shed more weight, which is a welcomed development!

FIVE FAVORITE THINGS:

1. sapphire blue skies
2. biking
3. making it to my goals
4. being strong
5. being hopeful

TWO WEEKS! YIKES!

Well, I suppose for a race like this you can never feel like you've trained enough. Today I did one lap of the bike course and was pleasantly surprised that the worst hill was only a downward part of the bike course.

HOWEVER, and this is a big however, that is the one part of the race where there is both runners and bikers-- and the running part is UPHILL-- this is on Cedar Lane right by NIH

This would be a great place for spectators-- a: I'll be speeding by when I'm biking and feeling quite confident and b: I'll be dying when I run by and will need your support. Truly, I will need support- this is a huge thing for me and I'm feeling really out of shape right now (I think it's a bit of a confidence thing actually).

ANYWAY-- here's the link for the route maps. Unfortunately I will not be able to be watched when I swim, which is the first leg of the race- at the Bethesda YMCA-- I'm in Wave 2 so my start time is 7:15 am.

http://www.cantriathlon.org/_wsn/page6.html

For those of you still interested in sponsoring me, it's not too late: here's the URL for that:

https://www.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=145092&supId=113517400

I'm very excited but I am now getting very nervous too-- I hope I can do this and I really do need your support at this point.

FIVE FAVORITE THINGS:

1. no bad hills on the biking course
2. good weather
3. wearing smaller jeans and having certain people notice those jeans
4. a very long night's sleep, even though I was very bored and wanted to have a night out
5. two more weeks to keep training.

17 DAYS!

Ok, we are definitely getting down to the wire here. Only 17 days left! I think I'm about as trained as I can be.

It was suggested to me last night that I cut out any alcohol and just focus on drinking a lot of water over the next two and a half weeks. I will endeavor to do this, we shall see. My running has definitely lagged behind for many reasons: a: i like it the least b: I'm really getting into this body building stuff and c: there's a killer machine at the gym- (arc trainer) and I like to do that for an hour. I burn more than 1,000 calories when I do that- very good.

This weekend will be serious training for me- I plan to get up early, regardless of how late I work on Friday night and do a nice long run. Then I will do a nice long ride on my racing bike- should be very intense.

I am going to keep my schedule very light. This week I've had to volunteer at the consignment sale at Jack's nursery school and it has cut into my training time- so this will be the last week for that. I am completely committed to training now.

Ok, confession time, for those of you who don't know- but this 42 year old car is getting a nice overhaul on April 12-- (after the triathlon). I just wrote a huge check to the plastic surgeon yesterday- a number that needed a really long line on the check. I've worked really hard to take off all this weight and I need a little help from the Dr. too. I'll let you know how that goes. I do not plan to be off my feet for long because I have a 3 miler running relay race with some friends at work who are serious runners, and I need to get out and train for that. I also do not want to lose too much muscle mass- liking these biceps.

FIVE FAVORITE THINGS:

1. running when I don't even feel like it
2. 17 days left
3. loose and comfy levis
4. not having too many wrinkles
5. this coffee I'm drinking right now.

Orange Toaster

http://automobiles.honda.com/models/exterior_gallery.asp?ModelName=Element&360VIDEO=0&Function=exterior_360s_enhanced

Go to this link to see what the new triathlon mobile looks like. I'm calling it the Orange Toaster- very boxy, very very orange (tangerine to be specific). Already loaded my racing bike into it- very smooth transaction-- However, we will be getting a roof bike rack installed this week $$$$ but well worth it.

Didn't do a whole lot of working out this weekend-- nice 20 mile ride today but that's about it. I had designs on doing a 4 mile running race on Saturday morning, but I worked rather late and didn't want to do it on only a few hours of sleep.

Benjamin is quite sick with strep throat, so we are all waiting to get sick as well-- hopefully not-- we will be careful.

Had a good night in town at my friend Mary's house- she makes me laugh and she has three of the cutest dogs-- all with very short legs-- It's very hard to concentrate when you have these shortlegged creatures lounging about. very cute-- they like to eat too apparently.

FIVE FAVORITE THINGS:

1. good health
2. minuteclinic-- it took 10 minutes for me to get good medical care for ben on a Sunday!
3. dark chocolate
4. spring here tomorrow
5. getting through this weekend.

Very Very Sore

So my personal trainer has me in this very interesting stage of my training-- All of the weights I'm lifting have been dramatically boosted and I'm doing fewer reps-- he's also added a couple of really painful things to mix and I'm totally feeling it today.

I cannot lift my arms, my back muscles are sore (in a good way), my legs, abs, pretty much everything, but mainly my arms-- HOWEVER, Jason is in better standing after re-doing my fat measurement with a much nicer machine. Instead of grabbing blobs of fat with the calipers- he used this digital thing that sends electric charges through my fat (that's about as technical as I can get here). A much better reading and he estimates that I should lose about 20 more pounds, which is about what I had set for my target. Needless to say, I am apparently not a stick of butter anymore. No percentages here. Sorry.

So I'm thinking about throwing this huge party the day of the triathlon-- I've even contacted a couple of bands-- I want to have a reggae band and then get the thing catered so I don't have to do a thing--
here's the one I like the most. www.oasisbanddc.com

I probably won't be able to move anyway- but I think it will be fun to have friends over after the race. My husband Tom and I are disagreeing over this whole thing but we will see. I'm also afraid I have no friends and the band will be playing to an empty yard. (ok, just a little insecurity there)

FIVE FAVORITE THINGS:

1. how my arms felt yesterday
2. ditto
3.ditto
4.ditto
5.ditto!

24 DAYS!

I have 24 days left to train for the triathlon. I'm thinking pretty much that I will stay the course here and hope to do as well as I can. I don't think I'm going to be able to dramatically turn things around at this point, but I'm in pretty good shape. Hoping at a minimum for 9 minute miles when I run and the swimming I believe will be a piece of cake.

The biking part has been a joy with my new ride so that will be fun-- we shall see. I was hoping to also lose 15 more pounds, but I don't think that will happen between now and the race. Weight loss over the past few days has slowed. I'll admit, I've eaten some junk too like cookies and caramel corn yesterday. so I need to really focus on not eating crap from here on out. It will be very difficult, but I will do my best.

It's very hard to not eat crap all the time- fantasy- 7-11 nachos, a hot dog and pepperoni pizza-- every day of my life-- oh and a sub- with lots of hot peppers. I have to be very serious about this from here on out. I am the only one in my household with a somewhat healthy lifestyle so it is very difficult.

FIVE FAVORITE THINGS:

1. green eyes (these are a killer)
2. getting a good sleeping in
3. my little blonde Jacky Jack climbing into bed with me
4. my bike (of course)
5. the strength to do the right thing over the next 24 days!

This is it. some serious perspective here is needed. No more kidding around. Wish me luck!

Daffodils

Daffodils
by William Wordsworth

I wandered lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o'er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host, of golden daffodils;
Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.
Continuous as the stars that shine
And twinkle on the Milky Way,
They stretched in never-ending line
Along the margin of the bay:
Ten thousand saw I at a glance,
Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.
The waves beside them danced, but they
Out-did the sparkling waves in glee:
A poet could not but be gay,
In such a jocund company:
I gazed - and gazed - but little thought
What wealth the show to me had brought:
For oft, when on my couch I lie
In vacant or in pensive mood,
They flash upon that inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude;
And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the daffodils.

Very Tired

I just can't get up at 5:00 am lately. I am very tired. I always seem to be be wide awake around 3 a.m. and I think to myself that Ok- only a couple more hours and then I can be at the gym-- then the alarm goes off and I can barely move.

Oh well, I don't really need to be at the gym that early- it just makes the day a little easier- I will sort choir music today after I drop off Jack and then I plan to put in about 30 miles on my lovely bike-- I just got clipless pedals so I'm a bit worried I may fall on my butt-- I'll let you know- no secrets here.

I'm getting very nervous about the triathlon-- I think I'm only going to be able to do 9:30 miles- I'm pretty beat after the swimming and biking- so we shall see- I was hoping to do 8:00- 8:30 minute miles but don't see that happening-- u know what-- it's my first triathlon-- I'm going to do my best and it will only get better as I do more of them. the end.

Very encouraged that I will be doing a century bike race in October- I've almost talked a friend into doing it-- I will-- it will be fun- he and his teenage son will be doing it with me-- I think it will be fabulous- on the eastern shore- through all this farmland- it will be a beautiful day and then we can get crabs or something afterward-- doesn't get better than that eh?

FIVE FAVORITE THINGS:

1. my bike
2. this coffee i'm drinking
3. stamina
4. focussing on the prize
5. friends.

Down to the Wire

I am getting very nervous. It's been suggested by some that I might actually be over-training- I do feel kind of tired these days. I set my alarm for 5:00 am but then changed my mind and got out of bed at about 7:30 after having Jack and Ben jumped all over me for several minutes. Wild boys in this household.

I am going to go do some running on the treadmill today- I have Jack, and I didn't get up to run this morning so I have to use the treadmill while he is in the babysitting at the gym.

Played tennis last night. It hurt my toe and I didn't do so well, but it was a nice hint of summer- I used to play all the time and I actually used to be better, but that that will come back. Hopefully I can do that w/a bit more regularity now that I've lined up a couple of victims.

Today I'm going to get my new bike modified with clipless pedals. I love that bike!

FIVE FAVORITE THINGS:

1. my bike
2. two really good oranges I just consumed
3. the option of hiding under my covers when necessary
4. not quitting, even though I'm tempted to do this all the time
5. overcoming my laziness.

Fabulous Cycling

Did not make it to the gym once this weekend. HOWEVER, I've put more than 100 miles on my new bike, which I just purchased on Thursday-- so lots and lots of great cycling-- I'm afraid I've become addicted.

It was really warm all weekend long and it is supposed to be warm tomorrow, but then a cold front will come it. I hope it is nice enough to actually drag someone out to play some tennis- I'm feeling like it's that time now-

The triathlon is less than a month away-- I don't feel like my running is up to par, but I will continue with that. I'm not expecting to have a great timing on this first Triathlon- but I am expecting to complete it and that is a big deal for me.

I don't need to tell you again that I love my new bike. I will be riding it as much as I can from here on out. Made some good friends with the bike mechanics at my favorite bike shop. They are interesting and they have a good deal of advice for my training. I am also planning to do a century in the fall- maybe one sooner- I think about every two months I will try and do a cycling race.

Ben, Jack and Tom had a good weekend too- enjoying the good weather. We spent most of the weekend outside- On Saturday a friend came over for dinner. That was nice.

FIVE FAVORITE THINGS:

1. great weather
2. my bike
3. good hard training
4. grilled salmon
5. longer days.

MAJOR TRAINING TODAY

The weather could not be better, so today will be a big training day for me. I will start out with a 4 mile run, then I will lift weights, then I will sprint 10 miles on Red Beauty (of course) and immediately run 3 miles (the brick.)

should be very interesting.

I am now looking for a century bike race to do in early fall and I'm looking for a crazy friend to do it with me. Any volunteers? I have one very unmotivated friend in mind, but the suggestion of a race thus far was not met with any level of enthusiasm-- I will still work on that a bit.

I was very busy last night at work. The American hostage Tom Fox, a quaker and a peace activist, was found dead after being tortured in Iraq. Very sad. Also the FBI issued a warning that some extremist website was suggesting that the NCAA championships would be a great venue for suicide bombings.--great. I also ate two slices of pizza that had been sitting around the newsroom for hours-- made me feel kind of sick.

Yesterday was the second day in a row that I really had a poor diet- I need to really get back on track or this will affect my training: This is what I ate yesterday: A box of cracker jacks, powerbagel toasted with soy butter, cheese nips, 2 pickles, a small single serving size bag of potato chips, a salad with grilled chicken and balsamic vinaigraite. a stolen half of an old bagel from the refrigerator at work, 2 slices of stale veggie pizza and a hershey's bar. Very Very Bad.

I'm going to really stick to high protein and whole grains from here on out until the race and hopefully thereafter. I want to take off 15 lbs by the race, I'm hopeful I can do it and with more will power I can. I have been really lazy lately so I need to step up the pace. Please try to encourage me to do so if you think of it.- I can't afford to be lazy at this point. No alcohol, sugar or high fat foods any more -- this is it. the serious business time. My husband Tom is a good tool in helping me more disciplined. I am really depending on him for this.

FIVE FAVORITE THINGS:

1. sapphire blue skies
2. my new bike
3. a good productive evening at work
4. self discipline
5. being strong and not over-eating.

BTW-- many many thanks again to all for your donations-- I have raised more than $700 so far. You are all so very generous and I can't tell you how much that support means to me.

Red Beauty

Ok, so what was the first thing I saw when I woke up today? I'll give you a hint, It's red, it weighs 16 lbs, if you watched the Tour De France you might have seen a few of these. Yes that's right, red beauty- She is just dying for me to ride her and I am indeed dying to ride her. This is going to be a very long-term lovely relationship we will have-- This Specialized Allez-super pro racing bike- I cannot wait to race all over the place in this-- today I'm going to drive out to sugar loaf mountain area so I can do some steep mountain riding. Looking forward to it on my lovey red beauty.

I have warned some of my friends that I do not plan to shut up about this bike, you will just have to deal with it. I love this bike almost as much as my first road bike The Raleigh Record, a 10-speed i got in 8th grade and had until I was 23- I loved that bike, I wish I still had it.-- Red Beauty is now filling that hole, she and I will ride all over this country-- I'm going to look for a 100 mile race that she and I can do this summer. I am addicted.

Check out my bike at this website-- Mine is Red, of course, not yellow.

http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?sid=06Allez

ALSO, JASON, MY ABS are KILLING ME. I can barely bend my torso. We did this different ab exercise which involved Jason, my personal trainer, lying across my stomach to weigh me down while I lifted my legs.-- I'm dying today from that. Also, my biceps are very very sore-- I'm going to not lift until tomorrow and then back at it again on Monday.

FIVE FAVORITE THINGS:

1. red beauty
2. lots of roads to explore
3. being Friday
4. red beauty
5. red beauty

RETAIL THERAPY

DO NOT EVER SCOFF AT THE POWERS OF RETAIL THERAPY! Bought myself a beautiful racing bike today. Weighs 16 lbs and it's absolute bliss. NOTHING COULD BE BETTER. I CANNOT WAIT TO GET OUT AND CYCLE- GOING TO TOMORROW WHEN I DROP OF JACK AT SCHOOL-- If you hear really loud joyful laughing, you will know where it's coming from. I want to ride it around all of you so you can admire it- (I probably will in fact, so be prepared to admire the most fabulous bike on the planet). I am the happiest cyclist on this planet today-- As you know I've been complaining about not having a decent road bike for months now. I am in heaven. I can't stop jumping around right now as we speak-- it does not get any better than this!!! I've decided to celebrate the new lovely fabulous specialty triathlon racing bike, I will do a century this summer. Why not? What else does someone do on a boring hot summer day-- besides I like raising money for good causes-

As for my diet today, well let's just say I've taken a bit of a vacation on that issue.-- 2 waffles for breakfast smothered in butter and maple syrup, Lunch: a cupcake. Dinner: 1/2 of a vanilla milk shake-- oh well- I have to say I feel pretty good all the same. Maybe my body needed a good dose of sugar today. I'll be better tomorrow--

FIVE FAVORITE THINGS:!!!!!!
1. MY NEW BIKE
2. MY NEW BIKE
3. MY NEW BIKE
4. MY NEW BIKE
5. MY NEW BIKE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!