3 weeks to vegas

and my dress is so not near fitting..
damn this long cold winter and lack of motivation
err... silly boy that keeps me second guessing my workout agenda for beers
this week the weather is to be turning around and even though it will kill my allergies
I am so looking forward to it

running back is packed
no swimming for 2 weeks

Lasik

We will see how this goes
No workouts until Monday
No swimming for 2 weeks

Vegas in 3 weeks

4 miles

Completed again today. Of course I forgot my watch so I am uncertain as to the pace. But I hope it was reasonable. I have 2 weeks until the race. I don't feel like I am any closer to my goal than the beginning of the year.
I hope the weather for the next 2 weeks cooperates so I can hit that goal.
I probably need to watch my diet as well. There has been a lot of wine and cheese on the menu this week. I need to not let that continue into the next two weeks. I know if I get an invite to go out for beers... Or if one of my invites is confirmed... Then that blows that put of the window. But for now I need to clean up that diet.

This weeks menu is going to include some pineapple coconut smoothies... I have that coconut milk I need to use up.
Lunch will be spinach salad with avocado and mandarins oranges... Might throw some salmon in there.
Dinner is to be chicken and something.
Wednesday needs to be a fast. Haven't done that in a while. Might throw another daily fast in the mix as well for lent.
Snacks... They are always a challenge. Apples and celery maybe.

Well I will figure it out more when I go grocery shopping in the morning.

make me chuckle

things that sound good... and even better with an accent...
Why don't we grab a drink sometime?
I was just chill.  Playing my guitar.
Oh I love to dance.  I dance a little every day.
I need to detox.  Think I'll do some yoga.
We should go for a run.  The cardio would do me good.

Sadly, I am not one to go running with others.  I like the alone aspect of it.  I like to listen to my music or purge the many thoughts running through my head...  BUT I guess I need to up my game and go for a run.

keep on running

so the shamrock run is in 3 weeks...  I am habitually going to the race site and running the course... OK - I am running the sidewalk, the course will be the closed road.. I mention this because the grade and surface will be different... but I am making progress...

the last 4 runs I did I saw marked improvement on my first mile and my overall rate.. today, not so much but I am OK with that..  have been feeling a bit under the weather..

swimming can do that - forget how the chlorine etc can wreak havoc on the system
going to be another beautiful day tomorrow - gonna go for another run

most of look like this when doing triathlons... tired, wet, transitioning and thinking about the bike..

and most of us do not have the luxury of professional photos in our triathlon efforts... but hey maybe I will look into that... could you imagine a big ol' pic up on the wall in my office/indoor training room...

new inspiration?

http://triathlon.competitor.com/2012/12/features/im-a-triathlete-jimmie-johnson_67234

although he does remind me of someone... always has... makes me laugh that he has now decided to do triathlons...

his foundation is sponsoring a race down the street from my house later in august... seriously considering registering...

I have registered for a 4 miles race in March and a mini tri in June..
it feels good to be back on task...

it clears the head..
reminds me of my own strength and focus
keeps me moving forward
grounds me
oh and helps put silly boys (ok just one) out of my head for at least a few hours every day while I train

now that the snow is melting I will be getting back in the water... that bag has been packed since last Tuesday... 3 days of snow kind of interfered with that..

more snow!

and I had my swim bag all packed to start up again this week... been snowbound for 3 days now and it might continue for a few more...

on another note...
http://youtu.be/Sy1LxA-2Kqg

makes me think of the passage of time

Snow!,,

I can't wait for winter to break... I miss my workouts and the sunshine.
Gotte get ready for the Shamrock 4 Miler, New Orleans, Vegas, Disney and Ramblin rose Triathlon.

Merry Christmas

wow

after my little rant on holiday stress I never expected today to turn out the way it did...
I have a horrible adrenalin rush at the moment due to stress, pumpkin bread, peanut butter, stress and change....
it has been the weirdest day...
and after all that you know what my thought is.... can I get the office with the window then?
actually my new interior office with the view of Macys and the sunset works rather well for me...

I know I left a lot of the middle out of those comments...
oh well

year end holiday stress

gosh the crazy car service bills have just caught up with me... I hate spending on emergency fund on an emergency...  I know this is the whole reason why I save for an emergency fund.  I know this.  But I still hate it.  I start to obsess that I won't be able to recover the savings and then the thoughts just start to snowball...

UGH!!!

I then start to think about all the things that could fall apart and fall through the cracks... and you know it just goes from there.  I am waiting for a sales bonus from work - that should help.  Unless that falls apart in the process.  And then there is the year-end bonus that could fall apart as well if the sales piece falls apart... You get the picture.

I'd like to think that all of this is a result of PMS - and I wonder where that moon is at - and having to getup tomorrow at approximately 3:30am to get to a meeting by 5:30am...  A meeting that no one will notice is even happening.

deep breaths... a workout would help - I know this..
but I need to just relax and get to sleep...
think I will opt for some tea

Just because I can never find this version

Watch "Take That - Kidz (Revenge of the Kidz)" on YouTube

In the test kitchen

Today I am in charge of the vegetables.  I am making a squash casserole - probably the least healthy of the dishes.
I am also bringing green beans.  Going to roast those and toss with toasted almond slivers.
The other two veg items that will not be going with me are a roasted cauliflower medley and brussel sprout dish.
The roasted cauliflower and onion is  tossed with kalamata olives and almonds.
The brussel sprouts will be roasted with almonds and then tossed with spaghettis squash.  I have a hot and tangy fruit sauce I am going to use with this.
Not sure if I will cook it all today.  But I do have a number of days off to make sure I eat healthy.
Next two weeks I am on the road.  I will need to figure out some healthy meals.

Thankful (2)

Can't overlook the second thing to greet me after the morning sun...  He's still so happy in his old age.

Things I am thankful for this Thanksgiving

The sun rise streaming in my bedroim window.
Yes, I am still in bed.  I opted to not sign up for eithet Turkey Trot as I haven't been as disciplined with my running.  I am glad for that - the no race this morning bit - it is only 21ºF out there.

Caffeine

I made a conscious effort to give up caffeine a little under 2 years ago.  I remember the headache well.  OK - it may have been an allergy headache but a headache none the less.  Since that time I have done well to usually purchase decaf coffee and tea for the home with only the occasional caffeinated drink outside of the home.
Well for my birthday I was given a box of Starbucks Kcups - caffeinated variety.  I have been meaning to exchange it but the need for coffee got the best of me over the weekend.  And so I opened it.  UGH! What was I thinking?!?!?
I did well with only one cup on Saturday.  But since then I have escalated and have actually had 3 cups today.  I am preparing for the crash as I type.
I know it is going to undermine me in various ways.
Transitioning to gallons of water at this moment.

With the full moon and the stress of being off from work for two days - I do not need the mood swing related to a caffeine crash.  AGAIN - what was I thinking...

Built more

Actually should be Biltmore. Went there today to see the house decorated for Christmas. It was beautiful. It was festive. May even get in the spirit this year. I mean I am not traveling so may as well.
We did drive by Mount Mitchell. And my car did chug up and down some of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
I don't see ,myself attempting to ride my bike in that area any time soon.

Tomorrow is Monday Night Fotball

Off to the ballet

Sleep

For the past two nights the little guy has totally disturbed my sleep. I am never sure if I make noises while sleeping and he hears me... And then starts to whimper and whine. Or if he is just doing it on his own.
I have let him sleep,out of his corner both nights. Generally he looks more comfortable where he lays when I go to bed. So I let him stay. But around 3am it doesn't seem to be all that comfortable for him anymore.
It is starting to wear on me. I hate to say that. I know he relies on me for most of his daily activity. I know it is hard for him. His spirits are fine. Of course they because now after 4 hours of some sort of whining whimpering and barking he is asleep at me feet. Me, I now have to go get ready with my day and be productive.
I am planning on going to bed at an uber early hour this evening and possibly tomorrow too.
I like my sleep too much.
I like that well rested feeling.
I am tired of feeling tired.

I suspect yesterday's blood donation has something to do with my tired too. She did a good job of jabbing up my arm. Man is it sore.