Thursday, December 30, 2010

There's a Theme Here....Can You Guess What It Is?

Oops!

Guilty!

Always make sure to keep the "meat and two veg or twig and berries" warm this winter! Fits like a glove!!

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Things I Just Don't Get.....

Justin and Miley - is it just me or are we truly nearing the end of human existence......

One last holiday note - Sara said the exact same thing to me this year - what does she mean?!!

Friday, December 24, 2010

Words to Live By #2

Words to Live By & Top 50 You Know You're a Triathlete When....

Have the happiest of holidays and may 2011 be a phenomenal year for y'all!!
Does the Beast celebrate Christmas? Answer - Yes, right from the get-go
With Sheila Ceko!
Who doesn't get excited about reindeer games
Hey Sara, isn't that Peter Ames?!
It's a fun time of year when everyone makes a wish
For dinner I would like Susan's yummy sweet potato dish!
So here's hoping your Christmas is full of good times and glee
Hey Evan, enjoy your naughty "present" from Dee
If I haven't stirred things up enough, here's another primer
How about some new race wheels for Reimer?!!


YOU KNOW YOU’RE A TRIATHLETE WHEN...




1. When asked, how old you are you answer 20-24.



2. When asked how long your training was today you answer: three to four hours.



3. Your training is more limited by available time then how far you can run.



4. Your first thought when you wake up is how high your rest HR is.



5. You go for a run even though there's a thunderstorm and you enjoy being wet and dirty.



6. You think it's natural to do your 'business' behind a tree in the woods.



7. You go for a 5 km cool-down run after a 5 km race just so that you can call it a training session.



8. You consider work “regeneration time” between training sessions.



9. That “something hard” between your legs is usually a pull buoy.



10. You have a water bottle when you drive your car.



11. You've forgotten how to drink out of cups.



12. You spend your 2 weeks annual vacation at a training camp.



13. You know inside out how much Protein each energy bar has.



14. You seriously consider applying for citizenship in Tonga, Jemen or Tschad so that you can participate in the Olympic games.



15. People praise you for being able to run 15 miles, but you feel insulted.



16. In the summer your legs are smoother than your girlfriend's.



17. In the winter your legs are still smoother than your girlfriend’s.



18. You need a picture for a job application and you only have race pictures.



19. You use running T-shirts to clean your bike.



20. That charming "cologne" you wear to work is chlorine.



21. You take more showers in a locker room than at home.



22. 6:30 am is “sleeping in.”



23. The dog runs and hides when you get the leash.



24. You think there are only two seasons during the year: racing and off.



25. You shave way too many body parts for a guy.



26. You can't change the oil in your car but you can completely rebuild your bike in 45 minutes.



27. You spend more $ on training and racing clothes then work clothes.



28. You spend 7 days going to 8 stores in 4 towns before buying a pair of running shoes but you take 1 afternoon to go to 1 car dealership and walk out with a new car 4 hours later.



29. When you see some lady watering her flowers and ask her if you can borrow the hose for a minute so you can fill up your water bottles.



30. You clean your bike more often than your car.



31. You've been stung be a wasp or bee in your mouth but carried on running or cycling because "your split times won’t go down by themselves."



32. Your car smells like a locker room.



33. You have everything needed in your car to be swimming, biking or running with 5 minutes notice.



34. When asked to mow the lawn in 90 degree heat, you say that it’s too hot to do that (and you mean it) and then an hour later you go on a century ride because it’s so nice out.



35. You tell your co-workers that you are going to "do a long brick" on Saturday and just expect that they know what you are talking about.



36. When a co-worker asks if you are racing this weekend, you say "yeah, but I'm just running a 10k, so that is not REALLY a race".



37. You consider you bike saddle your "couch."



38. You consider Clif Bars as one of the four food groups.



39. You are sick to your stomach at 2:00 in the morning and check the back of the Pepto Bismol bottle for caloric content and grams of carbohydrates, fat and protein.



40. You have plenty of water bottles, safety pins, and t-shirts.



41. You have trouble keeping lunch under 2000 calories.



42. You usually wake up at 4:00 in the morning but do not get to work until way after 9:00.



43. You like going swimming the day after a race with the permanent penned number still visible on your legs and arms because the feel like a medal.



44. Your car has at least one Power Bar wrapper and two sets of work out clothes!



45. You have a $3000 bike strapped on top of your $1500 car.



46. Your laundry continually smells like someone locked the cat in overnight.



47. Instead of Marie Clare, People, and Cosmo, you have piles of Runner's World in your bathroom.



48. You leave your apartment or house in the morning with your swim bag on one arm, bike on one shoulder, a change of clothes in another bag, and your running stuff in another bag in case you can get away at lunch for a workout.



49. You wave at other cyclists, because all triathletes are friendly and if they are not, they are probably purist cyclists trying to get into triathlons and they do not know that triathletes are friendly.



50. You have not one, not two, but three permanent chain ring scars on your right calf.

Monday, December 13, 2010

It's F#%^ing Cold!!

I love summer - this cold snap is way too early. Technically winter doesn't start until December 21st!!
Now that it's bitterly cold I may be concentrate a little on beer drinking - got to love Cliff!

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

How High Can You Go?!

Been thinking about IM Lake Placid lately. The race is over 8 months away and I've slowly been getting into the routine of activity. Nothing major - just trying to be active. At this point it's nothing consistent - a few days in a row followed by a couple of days off (usually family and work priorities). I've been good at not gaining weight this fall which should help in the new year when a more consistent routine is adopted.

I've also been thinking about potential. My 2011 Ironman will be my sixth but it will be five years since I did one (IM Wisconsin 2006 - time flies). I've never really "raced" an Ironman, especially the bike. I have wondered what I could do if I committed to some quality training, have purpose in my workouts, build from week to week and yet be balanced with my personal life. It can be done with good time management and communication. My goal is quite simple - put in the time and work on a consistent basis over the coming months. Use patience and try to achieve my goal not through leaps and bounds but instead take it one step at a time, like climbing the CN Tower!

I plan to get in great shape and use Lake Placid as a celebration of the completed work. My level of fitness needs to be at a level where my aerobic pace for the race will be fast. I look forward to the challenge! I hope you have started to set goals - looking forward to sharing the journey....

Cheers!