Saturday, April 30, 2011
crazy week
Sometimes being in academia can put a kink in those things one would rather be doing... such as training, socializing, training, sleeping, training.
Such has been the case this week with the end of the semester and finals. Students clamoring for extra credit and whining about their grades..if only they understood that their grades would be better if they came to class, did the work when they were supposed to and actually studied for exams. A novel idea I guess.
Anyway.... I was able to get a few days the first half of the week... Easter Sunday proved to be a gorgeous day, perfect for a jog/walk around the campus of Haverford College. Beautiful setting. The loop is (I believe) 2 miles. Another park, across from where I work, is proving to be a good jog loop. Not sure how long it is, but is has a nice mix of sun & shade, flats and hills.
So now, after giving my last final (whoever scheduled finals for Saturday needs a serious talking to)... I'm off to do another ride. Obviously not as aggressive a ride as I would like to do right now, but I will take what I can get. Have to remember I'm still recovering from the accident and surgery. It's going to take time to get to where I wish I was right now.
Biking then grading... that's the plan for the rest of the weekend....
Aloha!
Such has been the case this week with the end of the semester and finals. Students clamoring for extra credit and whining about their grades..if only they understood that their grades would be better if they came to class, did the work when they were supposed to and actually studied for exams. A novel idea I guess.
Anyway.... I was able to get a few days the first half of the week... Easter Sunday proved to be a gorgeous day, perfect for a jog/walk around the campus of Haverford College. Beautiful setting. The loop is (I believe) 2 miles. Another park, across from where I work, is proving to be a good jog loop. Not sure how long it is, but is has a nice mix of sun & shade, flats and hills.
So now, after giving my last final (whoever scheduled finals for Saturday needs a serious talking to)... I'm off to do another ride. Obviously not as aggressive a ride as I would like to do right now, but I will take what I can get. Have to remember I'm still recovering from the accident and surgery. It's going to take time to get to where I wish I was right now.
Biking then grading... that's the plan for the rest of the weekend....
Aloha!
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Recovery sucks
I have to keep reminding myself that I am only a month out of shoulder surgery, and six months since I've been able to do any type of exercise. "I will get back, I will get back."
First ride om my bike today... short (by my standards), only 8 miles. I did do the ride after physical therapy though. I can not wait to have the stability and strength back in my shoulder. I do believe ICE is my best friend at the moment.
I'll be ready for October 2, right?
First ride om my bike today... short (by my standards), only 8 miles. I did do the ride after physical therapy though. I can not wait to have the stability and strength back in my shoulder. I do believe ICE is my best friend at the moment.
I'll be ready for October 2, right?
Sunday, April 24, 2011
What's to come...
The plan is to set up and possibly share my nutritional revelations as well as my training log. I have to sit down, look at my calendar and plan, plan, plan.
I am lucky to live in an area that is chock full of hills, which will prepare me well for a race in the Poconos. However, my hill skills are lacking. I welcome any suggestions to help in this department, especially when it comes to the run, as the run is the weakest of the 3 disciplines for me.
So... if you have thoughts or suggestions, I am completely open.
Another gorgeous day... think I'll become one with nature. Haverford nature trail sounds good.... packing my oranges, watered-down Gatorade and other snacks.
Aloha!
I am lucky to live in an area that is chock full of hills, which will prepare me well for a race in the Poconos. However, my hill skills are lacking. I welcome any suggestions to help in this department, especially when it comes to the run, as the run is the weakest of the 3 disciplines for me.
So... if you have thoughts or suggestions, I am completely open.
Another gorgeous day... think I'll become one with nature. Haverford nature trail sounds good.... packing my oranges, watered-down Gatorade and other snacks.
Aloha!
Saturday, April 23, 2011
How to stay motivated when the weather says "no"
Unless you live in paradise (ahem), you are bound to come across days such as the dreary, rainy day we are having in Philly today. Not the best motivator. What's worse.. my gyms are closed due to the holiday weekend, so I can not even do that.
So, what shall I do? I know! I'll put my bike on my trainer... no, wait, it's at the bike shop getting tuned up for the season. Hmmmm... Stretching and balance ball core exercises it is! And, of course, my shoulder exercises for P/T.
Motivators on a day like today... the Ironman poster above my computer, the little notes strategically placed throughtout my apartment (and my office at Rosemont).. "Keep Moving," "Focus," "Anything is Possible."
Unexpected motivator today: THE SUN!!
I decided once it stopped raining that I was going to head to Valley Forge again. Decent temp at 60 degrees, still cloudy, but at least the rain stopped. Much to my surprise, about 5 minutes into my jog/walk... this bright yellow thing emerged from behind the gray clouds!! Could it be? Is it really? Ditching the jacket... and a 3 mile jog/walk (mostly jog this time...I'm getting there) was born! I felt ALIVE! The sun on my face, the beads of sweat dripping slowly down my face...
Now... dinner time! MacGyver meal... rice noodles w/ tempeh and vegetables. I hope it tastes as good as it smells!
Keep moving...
So, what shall I do? I know! I'll put my bike on my trainer... no, wait, it's at the bike shop getting tuned up for the season. Hmmmm... Stretching and balance ball core exercises it is! And, of course, my shoulder exercises for P/T.
Motivators on a day like today... the Ironman poster above my computer, the little notes strategically placed throughtout my apartment (and my office at Rosemont).. "Keep Moving," "Focus," "Anything is Possible."
Unexpected motivator today: THE SUN!!
I decided once it stopped raining that I was going to head to Valley Forge again. Decent temp at 60 degrees, still cloudy, but at least the rain stopped. Much to my surprise, about 5 minutes into my jog/walk... this bright yellow thing emerged from behind the gray clouds!! Could it be? Is it really? Ditching the jacket... and a 3 mile jog/walk (mostly jog this time...I'm getting there) was born! I felt ALIVE! The sun on my face, the beads of sweat dripping slowly down my face...
Now... dinner time! MacGyver meal... rice noodles w/ tempeh and vegetables. I hope it tastes as good as it smells!
Keep moving...
Friday, April 22, 2011
Can't believe I'm blogging...
I have decided to blog about my experience training for my first Half-Ironman Triathlon (race day, October 2, 2011, Pocono Mountains). Hopefully this will keep me accountable.
To begin, why the hell am I doing a half-Ironman?? It all started way back...almost a long time back. My older brother Patrick moved to Hawai'i a number of years ago. As time passed, he began getting involved in the local running, and eventually triathlon scene. He was hooked. His first marathon was the Honolulu marathon, Dec 2001. What a great sight, watching him cross that finish line. I thought he was crazy.
A few years later, he was racking up the triathlon races in Kona. He qualified for the Ford Ironman World Championships in 2004, by placing in the top 3 in his age group at the Honu Triathlon that June. I immediately booked my ticket to Kona for that October.
As inspiring as watching Patrick cross the finish in Honolulu was, watching him cross the finish in Kona that October evening was, by far, the proudest moment of my life. I cried as I draped the finishers lei around his neck and helped him to the medical tent, along with my parents, sister and other brother.
That was my inspiration. I figured, shit, if Patrick can start this extreme way of life in his mid-late 30s, so can I!!
February 2008. Decision made. I'm going to do my first triathlon in June. Training starts tomorrow. Tomorrow comes. I can't get out of bed. Not for lack of motivation, but for lack of physical ability to move the upper right side of my body. The pain was excruciating. Shit! I'm supposed to go swimming. Instead, the call is made to my doctor, who then orders xrays and MRIs...Herniated disc at C6/7. Not good. A few months of physical therapy and a epidural shot later, no progress. The decision is made. I have to have neck surgery.
May 2008. As it so happens, the day I had my surgery was the same day that Ted Kennedy was diagnosed with brain cancer. This of course was the first thing my mother told me when I woke up from surgery. Very sad news. Kept me from thinking about me. Four miserable days in the hospital, two months in a hard neck brace, three months off of work, and months of therapy later.. I decide. I'm doing that damn triathlon.
May 2009. One year to the date of my release from the hospital after neck surgery, I finish my first sprint triathlon! Tri For Our Veterans in Sea Isle City, NJ. The ocean water was a brisk 57 degrees (I think they were being generous with that report), but that is why some very smart person invented the wetsuit! The bike was flat and fast. The run, on the beach. Not so much fun, but I was (and still am) determined.
The best part, other than finishing, having mom and dad there to Cheer me on, and calling my brother in Hawaii at 9am east coast time to tell him I finished!
That was it. I was hooked.
2010 season.... came and went with some finished races and some not finished races due to injury. But I was happy. The best was racing in Mt. Gretna, PA where my family has been gathering for over 60 years. Super special race... and HILLY!! Who knew Amish Country in central PA was that hilly... good thing I live close and was able to scout and ride the course before race day.
2011 season. Here we go.... after deciding to compete in the inaugural Ironman 70.3 Pocono Mountains, the seemingly inevitable happened. Dec 4, 2010 I was hit by a car while walking along a sidewalk. Nearly 5 months of therapy and shoulder surgery later, I am starting the training process from what feels like ground zero. Dammit if the idiot who hit me is going to keep me from reaching my goals!
Thanks for stopping by... and Keep moving..
-Megan
To begin, why the hell am I doing a half-Ironman?? It all started way back...almost a long time back. My older brother Patrick moved to Hawai'i a number of years ago. As time passed, he began getting involved in the local running, and eventually triathlon scene. He was hooked. His first marathon was the Honolulu marathon, Dec 2001. What a great sight, watching him cross that finish line. I thought he was crazy.
A few years later, he was racking up the triathlon races in Kona. He qualified for the Ford Ironman World Championships in 2004, by placing in the top 3 in his age group at the Honu Triathlon that June. I immediately booked my ticket to Kona for that October.
As inspiring as watching Patrick cross the finish in Honolulu was, watching him cross the finish in Kona that October evening was, by far, the proudest moment of my life. I cried as I draped the finishers lei around his neck and helped him to the medical tent, along with my parents, sister and other brother.
That was my inspiration. I figured, shit, if Patrick can start this extreme way of life in his mid-late 30s, so can I!!
February 2008. Decision made. I'm going to do my first triathlon in June. Training starts tomorrow. Tomorrow comes. I can't get out of bed. Not for lack of motivation, but for lack of physical ability to move the upper right side of my body. The pain was excruciating. Shit! I'm supposed to go swimming. Instead, the call is made to my doctor, who then orders xrays and MRIs...Herniated disc at C6/7. Not good. A few months of physical therapy and a epidural shot later, no progress. The decision is made. I have to have neck surgery.
May 2008. As it so happens, the day I had my surgery was the same day that Ted Kennedy was diagnosed with brain cancer. This of course was the first thing my mother told me when I woke up from surgery. Very sad news. Kept me from thinking about me. Four miserable days in the hospital, two months in a hard neck brace, three months off of work, and months of therapy later.. I decide. I'm doing that damn triathlon.
May 2009. One year to the date of my release from the hospital after neck surgery, I finish my first sprint triathlon! Tri For Our Veterans in Sea Isle City, NJ. The ocean water was a brisk 57 degrees (I think they were being generous with that report), but that is why some very smart person invented the wetsuit! The bike was flat and fast. The run, on the beach. Not so much fun, but I was (and still am) determined.
The best part, other than finishing, having mom and dad there to Cheer me on, and calling my brother in Hawaii at 9am east coast time to tell him I finished!
That was it. I was hooked.
2010 season.... came and went with some finished races and some not finished races due to injury. But I was happy. The best was racing in Mt. Gretna, PA where my family has been gathering for over 60 years. Super special race... and HILLY!! Who knew Amish Country in central PA was that hilly... good thing I live close and was able to scout and ride the course before race day.
2011 season. Here we go.... after deciding to compete in the inaugural Ironman 70.3 Pocono Mountains, the seemingly inevitable happened. Dec 4, 2010 I was hit by a car while walking along a sidewalk. Nearly 5 months of therapy and shoulder surgery later, I am starting the training process from what feels like ground zero. Dammit if the idiot who hit me is going to keep me from reaching my goals!
Thanks for stopping by... and Keep moving..
-Megan
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