The Word of the Year - FOCUS

This past week and half has been awesome on the training and life front.  I started my 20 week plan for the HIM, I bumped it up a couple levels, and I had to incorporate my two half-marathons in so it has been a little harder than normal.  This isn't always fun in the winter months in NJ but the weather has been okay with the exception of this weekend and my indoor workouts.

This is just a snapshot of Week 1.

Week 1 started about 5 days earlier when I got back from Iowa for work and was able to get focused.  That is also a big part of the New Years Resolution - BEING FOCUSED, in work, nutrition, training and play.  I have felt all over the place last year.

Usually, I am flying solo in some of these workouts with a handful with friends.  I started indoor field hockey two weeks ago (every Sunday) and figured this would have to be one of my "track" or "speed" workouts.  I also had to revise my calendar so that a long run and swim falls on a Saturday and a long ride comes after my game on Sun.  As much as I wanted to put a long run in the middle of the week based on some recent articles I have been reading (more on that in later post), I don't have the time with work to incorporate that especially since it gets dark earlier.  So last week, I wanted to test this Sat/Sun before starting my plan.

Last sat I ran alone on the canal in a super muddy run that I swear prepared me for either a tough mudder event or maybe the Olympic long jump.  Sunday I had a game at 11am and then was off to Christine's to do a Spinerval workout with one of her new tapes so I got the bike, the trainer, my stick, my gear and was off in the morning.

looks awesome huh

First observation, my legs felt really good at the game, I was rarely tired, but had a slight quad cramp that 5 min out and stretching fixed.  My half hour drive in the car didn't help my nagging pains in the legs but as soon as I set up the bike and spun it out for about 5 min that passed and 1 hour and 45 min later we accomplished that goal, and had our good friend Quan make us some yummy food and a black and tan.....

Princesses being able to workout while a man cooks and provides beer

Korean marinated chicken

Over a raw veggie salad

This week, with training, I fixed a number of good eats, which I will get to on next post (too many new recipes), and got in all my key workouts, although strength training had to go by the wayside (I was able to fit in 2 short workouts). My work schedule has been relentless with a report and project managing a 8 country project and January's Brewtal beer meeting....but with my new organization skills, I was able to make everything work.
I got through my bike to nowhere by watching Star Wars while it snowed and sleeted on Sat....

The perfect set-up - iPad, movie and bike

 following that with Allagash Curieux - an awesome present from the hubby.

On Sunday, the dreaded treadmill run for 9 miles was on the books (too icy out) so I was able to go with Nicole and run next to each other and then hop off and get into the pool for a super relaxing 1900 meter swim.

I was pooped but what really got me through was being able to hang while training with friends, team mates and music!
I leave you with the latest playlist that displays my ADD (you will see from the vast diversity of songs) for  my long treadmill run (little less than 2 hours)...
please note some of my songs are not included because I could not find them on Playlist.com

2011 - A Year in Review

As you may have noticed, I kind of took December off from blogging...not purposely, but I was in a whirlwind with everything and didn't have the time, or every time I thought of a post, I thought of something else instead. In all honesty, I probably had a case of writer's block, well, I mean, IF I was a writer, that would be what it was called, but we all know I write like a 5th grader.

I walked away from 2011 with a bunch of lows causing me not to meet my goals and races. 

2011 Race Schedule and Notes

2/13    NOLA 1/2 Marathon - 2:11 time even after being injured with PF and sprained ankle 4 weeks prior.

4/17    CGI Rutger's 1/2 Marathon dropped out due to death in family - Grandpop
6/5      Black Bear Olympic Triathlon - only did aqua-bike - strained flexor hallucis longis - no running

6/18    Parvin Sprint Triathlon - dropped out -too close to Vineman and still injured no running

7/17    Vineman 70.3 - 7:03 - IMPROVED SWIM TIME but had to walk/run the run course due to injury

7/25    CGI Mercer County Sprint Tri- failed attempt at racing 1 week after 70.3 but fun

8/6       Princeton Bike Tour -65 miles  - bike accident at mile 50 - fractured/bruised ribs

9/3      Marlton Lakes Sprint Tri had to call it quits after bike accident for rest of the season

9/10    Quakerman 1/2 Iron 

10/2    Bassman International Distance Tri

11/5    Bridge Run 10K -  60 minutes - 9:40 min miles after just starting to run again 3 weeks earlier!

Goals for 2011 (SET PRIOR INJURIES)

1. 1/2 marathon time should be under 2 hours and if possible crank out a 1:50.
2. Improve my swim time through 3 days a week training and coaching from Germaine.
3. 1/2 Iron time at Vineman under 6 hours.
4. Run pace in sprint distance race at 8min/mile and 8:30-8:45 for Olympic distance.

So as you can see, it didn't look good on the racing front - HOWEVER, I had a wonderful year despite those injuries,  It just means that you have to jump back up with a smile when life smacks you back down. 


Top 10 Highlights of 2011

1. Mike and I spent some time vacationing in Sonoma after Vineman 70.3.
2. Became a charter member of Brewtal Beer Club and Mike and I brewed our first beer! Brewtal Alpha Porter.
3. Met some amazing people/new friends in-person and virtually through twitter and blogging emphasizing the power of social media.
4. Was able to spend a great vacation with my brother and sister and friends in New Orleans for 1/2 marathon.
5. Vacationed with both my families - Onion's and LaCouture's in Disney!
6. Spectated races and able to cheer on my friends and teammates.
7. Joined Team Triumph - which is an amazing group of people
8. Co-hosted some fabulous parties with the better half - Christmas in July, Beerathlon and the Not so secret NYE bash.
9. My brother (@big_onion) and Kaela got engaged and bought a farm!
10. Asked to be maid (umm matron...) of honor in my best friend's wedding in May 2012!

So, all in all, I am happy and extremely excited for what 2012 brings, I have lots planned on the early side because I really wanted to start training since I had been side-lined.  I have been building my base since November and am ready to embark on my new 20 week training plan for Mooseman which includes two 1/2 marathons in March (St. Patty's Day) and April (tutus) and a possible Olympic tri in April. 

I leave you to go on my 10 mile run.....