Crazy Busy

January was a whirlwind to say the least.  Work has been extremely busy.  In fact, my billable hours last month likely rank up there as one of the top five.  Certainly that is the case for the last few years.   The work, however, is interesting and challenging, so while busy, it certainly could be much worse.

I've also been on the road a bunch - LA, Detroit, Toledo and Columbus.  This week was my first full week in town since the new year.   LA, of course, was my favorite.  I was out there right before the Golden Globes and stayed in the Beverly Hilton - the actual site of the Golden Globes.   Sunny, warm AND an outside pool to boot!  Here is a picture of me on the red carpet.  Had to talk the Security guard into even letting me get close.

Work and travel have made two of my goals - consistency and nutrition - very difficult.   Getting in all of my workouts and proper recovery is one of my biggest challenges.   No matter how hard I try to recover when traveling, I inevitably put in longer hours, and my workouts on the road often feel like crap - heavy legs, and just out of whack.  And, work travel usually means work entertaining, which equals cocktails and meals out.  Neither of which are on plan for me.   Since I know this is where I struggle, I've been better than I have been in years past AND as coach says, I'm trying to be very present during the workouts I'm able to get in at home and even on the road.  And as for food and wine, I'm trying to do the best I can particularly during the time at home.

On the food front, did anyone else watch the Oprah special featuring the Vegan Challenge?  Great show, although I was a little disappointed with the emphasis the Vegan advocate put on processed non meat substitutes.  Still very impressed with Michael Pollen.  And, I think I found the proper word to describe the way I eat - that is Veganish.  Predominantly vegan most days but on some things, including some meat and fish on occasion that I know the source of, I don't stay vegan 100 percent.

Am still continuing to love my TRX training and trails runs.  And, I've added another workout "like" this month - Friday night date night with Bart at the pool post work.   We do a long swim and then head out to dinner.

And finally, GO STEELERS!!!!  Can't wait to cheer loudly and waive my terrible towel tomorrow!

Happy 2011!

I would be lying if I said I've kept up with my goals I set in November for myself.
1.  Off season weight loss - not so much - instead I think I've enjoyed every holiday treat and glass of wine and added to my new total loss to achieve pre CDA.
2.  Blogging weekly - well since this is my first blog since end of November. . .
3.  Consistency in training - Not great here either - December was chaotic to put it mildly and last week was the first week that I actually got in ALL of my training sessions since the first week of training with Jen.

But the good thing about a new year is it gives us each time to start anew.  With a clean slate, an open mind and GOALS.  I can put those lazy days of December, the extra desserts and glasses of wine, and the missed items on my to-do list behind me and just move forward.

So here's to a fresh start, to a great 2011 and reaching our goals!  Happy New Year!

Hitting the Trails

Last week was all about work, a little bike test, and trails.

I must confess, I still haven't figured out how to get in all of my workouts with work.   I know though, that if I don't get my workout first thing, I'm unlikely to get it in after work, particularly if it is a tough one.  Case in point, last week's power test.  Originally on my schedule for last Friday, I postponed it because of my gluten incident.   On Tuesday, it was on my schedule again.  When the alarm went off at 5:30 am Tuesday morning, I hit snooze and thought, I'll just do it in the evening after work.  Work is work though, and so at 6:30 pm, when I was leaving the office, and still had about 2 more hours of work on my plate for the evening, I skipped my power test and workouts and opted for some dinner, some more work and bed.   The result, 2 workouts missed on Tuesday.   I'm still learning, but on key workout days, mornings are a must if I'm going to meet one of my key training goals for the year - to be consistent.

As for the power test, I did get it in on Thursday morning.  Kate joined me on her trainer for some extra motivation (she was doing her test too) and we cranked out our 20 minute TTs.  I hope the saying is correct that you have to get a little out of shape during the off season, because I've certainly done so.  My power levels were, to say the least, disappointing.  Threshold power was down 11 watts lower than my already fairly weakling levels.  So. . . definitely room for improvement.  

Now, for the fun part.  Trails.   I really love trail running.  While training for IMLP, Bart and I spent a lot of time running in Pocohontas State Park on the fire roads.  During those runs, I loved the peace and beauty of the park and what felt like a communion with me and my goals, triathlon and otherwise.  I haven't run much on the trails this year and last Saturday's run with the gals reminded me how much I love it.   Trail running is a complete escape for me.  I don't think about running or even my pace.  Instead, I'm concentrating on the path before me and learning how to push myself based on feel, not necessarily a number on my Garmin.  Saturday, some regular billy goats took some of us relative trail newbies on a tour of Belle Isle and Buttermilk trail.  I've run these trails before but got to learn a new trail, appropriately named "the lost trail" on Belle Isle.  The weather was the start of a perfect Indian summer day and I couldn't wipe the smile off my face at the end of the run.  More trail running, and perhaps even a few trail races are in my future.   My billy goat friends have me thinking hard about the Swinging Bridge 35K Trail Race in January.

As much as I loved the trails on Saturday, I dreaded them on Sunday.  Somehow, after our trail run, I let myself get talked into mountain biking on Sunday with the crew.  Shawn took pity on me (under a total excuse that she "needed" me to ride with her so she wouldn't have to ride alone) and the two of us took off on the "easy" single track while the others headed for the harder trails.  As much as I hate to admit it, it wasn't as bad as I envisioned.  I still managed to fall a few times and have a few bruises and scrapes to show.  And yes, mountain biking is still way out of my comfort zone.  I still have trouble with my pedals (this time getting in them, not out), and I still hate to go fast down hills, particularly when there are roots or I have to negotiate between hills.  But, I did manage to find a smile or two during the day and thanks to Shawn's patience, got to build a bit more confidence.