All Clear

My physical therapist gave me the go ahead to do ANYTHING in terms of physical activity now - no more restrictions on running or anything else for that matter. Not only that, I don't have to go back to another PT session either! (Unless, of course, my ankle doesn't respond positively to the increase in activity). Now I can really start to build my regimend again. Now, I just have to get my triathlon coach on the same page.

Speaking of training, I logged on to check out my training schedule for the next three weeks. Then I brought out my palm and starting scheduling these workouts, trying to balance them out with the rest of my life. I have to squeeze in 10 hours of training next week - which normally wouldn't be a problem. Only thing is, I have my LSAT prep for 12 hours next week, as well as my 40 hour work week and my roughly 10 hours of commuting. Not to mention my LSAT homework which really is in my best interest to complete and probably requires and additional 10 hours of time next week.

So count that all up - that's an 82 hour week right there. Laundry? don't think so. Catching up/Hanging out with friends? doesn't look like it. I'm starting to feel like my friend Jenna with her almost full time work and 3/4 time law school. When will this end for me? Well, i'll have a week off from LSAT prep from May 23rd-30th - but officially the LSAT will be taken June 11th and then i'll have a bit more time outside of training and work. So please forgive me if I fall off the face of the Earth these next few weeks. When I rejoin the land of my friends, it'll be time for a big ole summer kick off party at Club Cavaliere!

Briefly

1. Have you noticed a large number of commercials have dancers in them now. I remember about a decade ago all those Gap commericals with different kinds of dancing - but now, I couldn't even tell you what the commericals are for, I just notice the dancing. Not only that, with "Dancing with the Stars" and "So you think you can dance", dance is hitting the mainstream now. It's very cool - it makes me happy, even though that ship has sailed for me at this point.

2. Tom Gordon needs to be shot (not literally - i'm just venting here). He gives up the tying run in the bottom of the ninth then comes back in the tenth to load the bases and give up another run to lose the game. What a closer we have. The ONLY positive thing about all these losses, I hope to God it results in Charlie Manuel being fired - i've never liked him. If he's still with the team in May, I think I might organize a protest. I'm talking about the Phillies for those who don't follow sports.

3. I took the first yoga class I had in months today - it felt wonderful! Sometimes my arches bother me, I have some issues with my hips, i'm not well conditioned right now and I have quite a bit of weight to shed - BUT, i'm determined and feel ready to do what I have to do to get back on track and get back to where I want to be. It's become the top priority in my life - once I feel like I have control of my body again and i'm healthy, the rest of my life is positively affected by it. This beautiful spring weather we have now is certainly going to help in the motivation department.

Speaking of this weather, i'm gonna get off this computer and enjoy the sunshine!

Friday the 13th

Did you know that burning holey socks on mountain tops and eating gristle while standing on your head will keep you safe from Friday the 13th? And apparently, $800-$900 million in revenue will be lost today because people feel it is an unlucky day to travel, go shopping, or do business. Now, i'm be the first to admit, i'm a bit superstitious when it comes to my sports teams - for example, I won't introduce any new articles of clothing to the stadium during the playoffs and if we lose when i'm wearing a particular jersey or item during the regular season, I won't wear it again. And i'm totally freaked out but fascinated with supernatural spirits or ghosts. But 13 happens to be my lucky number. And not only that - my birthday falls on a Friday the 13th this year.

The City of Philadelphia thought it was a brilliant idea to repave North Broad Street during rush hour this morning. It took me close to 30 minutes to travel 4 blocks.

The sun is peeking through the clouds and in just a few hours i'll be at the prom!! I seriously don't think I could be any more excited - I definately think i'm more excited than I was in high school. We'll be taking lots of pictures and I believe Jim is bringing a video camera, so i'll have a post dedicated to the prom shortly!

It doesn't hurt!

Hardly at all - I can barely feel it - the pain, the strain, in my ankle and foot seem to be gone! At least in the last few days. Of course, I haven't done much strenuous activity on it - haven't run since Sunday and haven't gotten to interval training with my running yet - but still IT DOESN'T HURT AT ALL RIGHT NOW!!! I haven't felt this way in 5 months! Yay! :)

Oh- and I can't wait for the prom!!! I'm wearing a white, infamous Marilyn Monroe type dress.

Also - my frustratin phils are the second worse team in baseball at this point - only 1 win so far (although they are in the lead currently at the top of the 8th vs. the Mets, but I don't want to jinx it). Someone tell me when it's June, then maybe i'll start watching them again.

Frustrating Phils

This is the first time since 1924 the Phillies have begun the season with two consecutive extra inning games. I'm not sure if they lost those two back then - but i'm already frustrated with this team. Myers and Hamels pitched pretty decent games (Myers was kept in too long). I can't entirely blame our bullpen - although, Madson has to do something about hanging the ball over the plate. We've seen solid performances from Madson in the past, he needs to get in check and find his grove - all it takes is one bad pitch to change the game. I didn't get to see the home opener since it was a day game while I was at work, but the stats make it look like Gordon had a lights out performance that game. Only to come back and give up a tying 2-run homer in relief last night. I'll admit, i'm not a big Gordon fan - I think he still has good stuff but his head seems to get cloudy - he doesn't like to pitch under pressure - not so good if you're a closer. I've been spoiled watching Mariano Rivera all these years.

Here's what i'm miffed about - you're not going to win games scoring only 2 or 3 runs. I'd have to go back and look at the stats, but I believe we left over (or close to) 10 men on base each game, with half of them in scoring position. I know, I know - it's just the start of the season - there are still 160 games to be played - but it's going to be a hell of a long season for me if this keeps up. As it is the Mets already dominated the Cardinals in the opening series and are 3-0 at the top of the NL East (where are the cards that won the WS last year!??!) and these two loses come to our other nemesis, the stinkin Braves who have the lamest fan base EVER! (I won't go off on that rant but I can speak from experience having been to Turner Field and the Georgia Dome for a Braves and Falcons game).

The positive side to the season so far is despite a painful showing from Carl Pavano, the Yankees bats did what they were suppossed to do to win the home opener. They were rained out yesterday so they're 1-0. The Red Sox LOST big time during the opener to KANSAS CITY of all teams. The Royals rocked Shilling who only lasted about 4 innings. Yeah, I know Boston came back and won yesterday, but still, let me find some enjoyment in this.

3 months - 20 lbs.

Most of you have known me for a long time and know that i've been in pretty decent shape my whole life. It's one of those things I never really had to focus on - it was just in my genes. Well, moving back home, buying a car, getting injured and stress eating all while turning 30 has taken it's toll on my body. I know most people look at me and think I look fine - but I wouldn't put on a bikini right now if my life depended on it. The triathlon is in 3 months - so now I have set my goal - lose 20 lbs of fat in 3 months. I lost 10 lbs in a month last year so I know it's achievable. This means doing ALL of my training (not just the race specific workouts like cycling, swimming, and running, but also yoga, core work, weight training, etc.) as well as completely cutting out the soda, chips, chocolate and starchy carbs at nighttime. My diet has been atrocious - that's the hardest part for me.

Now, I may gain muscle during this timespan which may not reduce my body weight by all 20 pounds - but I purchased one of those scales that measures body fat as well so I can keep track that way. Now that i've put it all out there for all of you to see, I have to follow through with this. Wish me luck!

Baseball is here!! and other quick updates

1. Both the Phillies and Yankees are playing their home openers today at 1:05 pm...which means i'll have two gamedays up on my computer at the same time and accomplish very little at work today. I'm so excited for baseball season!

2. Prom Dress Update - I have been informed that I must match Jim's choice of Royal Blue as a color scheme. Less than 2 weeks to go shopping! Putting that on my list of errands to run this Saturday.

3. I got to see my dear friend from High School Melissa perform as Rizzo in Grease over the weekend. She rocked (as usual). It's been years since i've been on stage. As I watch my friends in shows, I imagine the little conversations they are having while acting in the background of a scene (a popular one during our high school musicals was "are you going to so and so's cast party tonight? and how are you getting there?"). Good times.

4. The tri training group workout Sunday kicked my butt - but it was good. Started out with one-legged drills on the bike, followed by fast cadence drills (quick leg turnovers at 110+ RPMs with low wattage - under 100 watts). Finished with a 30 minute pace line simulation - lots of fast cadence followed by high wattage and lower cadence shifts ever minute or two. After all that is completed, we were to go on a 5 mile run outside. I felt good (even though my legs were wobbly getting off the bike) and as I was about to run out the door, my coach stopped me and told me to only run for 30 minutes and not do the 5 miles with the rest of the group. I almost had a clean getaway! But I know it's for the best - still, that 30 minute run was great (minus the shin splints and achilles flare-up). At least my ankle didn't hurt.

5. I've been trying to find a carpenter up in NY to replace the cabinets I have in my kitchen - I've spoken with this one guy my super recommended and my super will let him in. I just want an estimate from the guy and he keeps putting it off. Arghhh! It's so frustrating - I NEED to get rid of this place!