Tag Archives: goals

May 2, 2013

Trail Running and Triathlon Exchange

Yesterday was my first day of coaching swimming! I am so excited to get back into it. Because practice is from 4-7, my feet and legs were KILLING me afterward. It’s bad enough standing all day at school, but the extra three hours did me in. Totally skipped my workout yesterday and stretched instead. The trouble with no workout (and with my normal dinner time being screwed due to coaching) is that I have a bottomless pit of a stomach. Pork. Carrots. Handfuls of almonds. Chocolate. Sweet potato sticks. Froyo cup. Food. Food. Food. And cue the overeating regret..

I guess a little taper can’t hurt this week, even though I haven’t trained at all for this half marathon this weekend. Completion is my goal!

I have changed some of my other goals. For now, I have traded my half marathon entry in for a sprint triathlon in October. Due to injury, the addition of my coaching position, and the things we have planned for the summer, I do not want to be stressed about training and adding more stress to my body. There will be other races, I just need to figure out my legs and hopefully spend time getting a full-time teaching job, too!

Although the whole long distance running thing may not be right for me, I still hope to log a fair amount of miles this summer. I bought myself some trail shoes and I cannot wait to try them out at Pemberton Park! I think I have found my favorite new running place, though I do like running when I don’t have to drive to my destination!

They came in the mail yesterday, and I am excited to try them out!! I got them off of Amazon, and they had great reviews. To check them out, head to this cite!

I think I will stick to sprint tris and 5ks for now. Less injury, less psyching myself out, hopefully more fun! Plus, when a duathlon is involved, I can get Travis to join me!

My goal now is to just start losing weight finally. Maintaining is no longer cutting it. I want to get to my goal weight and look fabulous come wedding time next year. I gained about 15 pounds after my senior swim season, and I want to get rid of it!

I think that’s about all I have for today. Focusing on fueling my body properly today. And a light cardio/strength day to stay fit but not fried before the 1/2!!

Here’s to reaching goals! Someone hold me accountable, please!

How do you stop yourself for late night or weekend binges?! Gah, I SUCK at it!

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Filed under Goals, Races, Running

Tagged as goals, races, running, shoes, trail running, training

April 8, 2013

Warm Weather Checklist

Happy Monday, everyone!

Yesterday, Travis and I had our photo shoot for our engagement pictures. It didn’t go as planned (not many blossoms, way too many people), but we still did get some great pictures and I can’t wait until they’re edited to share them with you all! Here’s one picture that I took yesterday haha. Funny story: the first time that I went to D.C., the Washington Monument was also under construction! I guess it had to be fixed again since there was an earthquake not too long ago.

Initially, I had this post entitled “Summer Checklist”, but then I realized that the weather we have had lately doesn’t really show definite seasons. Some days, I feel like it’s still winter though it’s April, and other days I’ve been sweating like crazy. I decided to call this Warm Weather Checklist instead because who knows when summer will begin around here. Heck, it’s supposed to be in the 60s and 70s this week, which is almost like summer in my eyes!

I’ve composed a little list of things I’d like to do within the next few months:

Go to Pork in the Park
Find my wedding dress!
Lose at least 10 pounds (ending result for the wedding and beyond would be 20)
Attend Salisbury Shorebirds games
Go to the beach as often as possible
Get a wicked tan
Make a killer chili recipe for the chili cook-off Travis and I are to attend (suggestions are welcomed!)
Read lots of books
Go kayaking
Walk in the trails near our apartment
Budget and save money
Have a blast at Firefly

These are the things that come to the top of my head. I’m sure more will be added to the list as warmer weather continues!

What’s on your warm weather to-do list?!

How was your weekend?

P.S. Happy birthday, Makenna!! Miss you and wish I could spend the day with you!

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Filed under Goals, Life

Tagged as goals, list, photos, pork in the park, shorebirds, summer, to-do list, wedding

March 28, 2013

The Big Decision

Good day to you! Last night, Travis and I headed to his home in York to say “hola” to his family quickly before heading to my house today. It was nice to break the trip in half by driving three hours to see his family and now driving three more to see my family. We would have stayed with his family for more of the holiday, but his parents are going to Jamaica tomorrow! Lucky, right?

Let’s get down to business. I have alluded to it briefly in the past few weeks or so, but I am just going to cut to the chase: I’m injured. Although at home I am out of range for insurance by a few hours (and would have to pay $250 to get my pains checked out), I kind of feel as though what I have is a case of plantar fasciitis. There are horrible pains in the heel/back of my ankle, and after much researching, it seems as though PF sums it up quite perfectly.

What does this mean for me? I think it’s about time I admitted to myself that my goals this year might be unattainable if I am looking to stay as injury free and healthy as possible. Yes, I want to still do races this year. I want to dig deeper into the triathlon world, and I want to get in the best shape of my life, especially with a wedding in the near future.

First EVER triathlon in 2009. Borrowed helmet, 8th grade mountain bike, swimsuit, Tshirt, no pants. YEP.

In order to do this, I think a goal revision is needed. First, with the Pittsburgh Half marathon about a month away, and with myself currently not running, I am going to change my goal from a PR to completion of the race. The cut-off for the 13.1 miles is 3.5 hours, or about a 14:00 pace. When I raced the race a few years ago, I finished in 2:09.00, a 9:52 pace. While it’s hard to not chase for that goal, adding a medal to my shelf is exciting, even if it includes walking. I think I may do a run/walk ratio to finish, due to the limited training. I just have to keep this in the back of my mind: I have been raising money for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. (P.S.: If you want to help me reach my goal, there’s still time! Head here to donate, and I’ll be forever grateful! ). Helping others is ultimately more important than completing the race with a personal best.

Secondly, the goal regarding my half ironman needs to be switched as well. Although I am going to wait a bit to make the switch, just in case my body decides to change, I think it will be better for me to put this race off and instead switch to a sprint triathlon (maybe one with Alexis – who knows! Winking smile ). I think this will be best for my body and my state of mind. I have 2 vacations planned right now, and both are locations in which it would be hard to train as much as I should. I’m not making excuses. Honestly, while I am at Firefly, I will not be able to leave the area until the 5 day event is over, and I definitely will not be able to bring my bike. As for my vacation to Assateague, we camp outside for 10 days. I can train with my mountain bike, but I am not bringing my nice bike to sit in the salty air. I can at least swim in the ocean, but I think I’ll stick to training for a shorter distance instead. Obviously, I can run at the beach, but I honestly have no idea the conditions while at Firefly. I know that I am stuck in an area with live bands and lots of camping/drinking/hanging out. That’s about all I know.

Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE triathlons. I just think that, for right now, shorter races might be better for me. I am able to switch my 1/2 IM registration to a list of other races, and I feel as though this might be best. This will help me stay less stressed and hopefully I can reach my goal either next year or soon after.

I have mixed feelings about my races now, but though I am somewhat disappointed, I also find it relieving that I can hopefully allow myself to fully heal. I intend to swim at lot in the upcoming months, with elliptical, cycling, lifting, and other sessions mixed in. I should have just stayed with swimming all along!

Since you most likely won’t be following my Ironman training, check out these awesome athletes for the Refuel Chocolate Milk! Four athletes are training to become Ironman finishers, including Hines Ward! Pretty awesome! While you’re at it, you can follow me on Instagram and Facebook, too, if you don’t already! Winking smile

Have you ever been in a similar situation?

Any plantar fasciitis recommendations?