My training has been spotty since I ran the NYC Marathon on November 4th. Initially I was in my off-season, which was extended due to a lingering virus I contracted that I just couldn't shake for several weeks. I slowly started to throw in a few workouts my coach had given me by mid-December, but again I got sidelined by end of year stuff for work, school, and all the crazy social engagements that pop up for the holidays with friends and family.
My coach and I discussed and solidified my 2008 season which looks like this if all goes according to plan:
May 4 - Broad Street Run (10 miler)
May 18 - Columbia Triathlon (Olympic distance)
June 8 - 1 Mile Chesapeake Bay Challenge Swim
June 22 - Philadelphia Triathlon (Olympic distance)
July 6 - Philadelphia Women's Triathlon (Sprint distance)
July 20 - New York City Triathlon (Olympic distance)
August 17 - Timberman 70.3 Triathlon (Aqua-Velo portion)
September 21 - Philadelphia Distance Run (Half-marathon)
September 27 - Chesapeake Man Swim (2.4 mile swim)
I anticipate scheduling one or two more events in October and November but will determine that later in the year.
Based on this schedule, my coach built my Annual Training Plan already which consists of 3 phases - base, build and peak training. Each of these phases are built in 3 or 4 week segments (to ensure proper recovery). I officially began base training this week and this phase will take me to mid-April. I didn't understand any of this last year and i'm slowly starting to understand it this year. I am so stoked for my 2008 season, especially when comparing where I am today to where I was this time last year:
Last Year
Heavy and Injured
Only one race planned (rest pieced together
as time went on)
Newbie to cycling (especially clipping in)
Newbie to technical swimming
Just knew a few classmates in Tris
Fit it into my crazy life
This Year
I've gained the weight back (but am determined to shed it for good) and i'm not injured!
I have my entire season laid out (much better to plan my annual training plan)
I have more confidence on the bike and my LT power jumped by 40 watts (last time I tested)
I LOVE swimming! I think it will prove to be the best out of the three sports for me - I feel I make the most progress with this every day I train!
I'm part of a wonderful triathlon team (and know many others in the community)
Triathlons are a focal point of my life
I try not to make resolutions for the New Year because it is so dissapointing when you don't succeed (which unfortunately is often the case). I've been stressed out and down trying to figure out my life, my career - what makes me happy. I tend to bite off more than I can chew - so i'm pearing down and focusing on the things that truly make me happy.
I have to work - I need a paycheck. I've already mentioned it doesn't fulfill me - it's not what I want to ultimately do - but it's what I do right now, so I have to make the best of it and just get my job done for the time that i'm there. When another opportunity is available that I believe will make me happier, then I will seize that opportunity. So for now, I just focus on getting through my career day by day.
Beyond that, my main focus is my active life - it's all encompassing of everything that I am and that I need. I'm very excited to tackle a new season with my triathlon team. I've volunteered to sit on the social committee of the Board for the team. I have more and more faith and confidence in my coach every day and I know he's going to help me find the athlete within myself. It's about my health (3 years with sign of cervical pre-cancerous cells!!!), it's about feeling accomplished, it's about this athletic community where personal records are set everyday and the comraderie among athletes who know what you've been through, or what you're going through and why. This is what makes me happy - and at this point in my life, where I am unattached, don't have any responsibility except to myself, that I can throw myself into this and make it my lifestyle.
You don't know what the future holds and even the future isn't guaranteed so all I can do is "resolve" to do what makes me happy!
Friday, December 28, 2007
Sunday, December 09, 2007
New Endurance Event
I attended the end of year party for my running club last night. One of the guys i've run with the past 2 years asked me if they've lost me from marathon training for good since I told them i'm focusing on triathlons next season. I wouldn't say for good - but you know i've already decided to take a break from marathons in 2008 at least. However, i'm finding myself gravitating towards a new endurance event (new for me anyway). Long distance open water swimming.
I'm hoping to do a 1 mile open water swim in the Chesapeake, which is the same day that organization is also holding a 4.4 mile swim. I might be interested in doing that the following year. There is a local ironman that also has an aquavelo option or just the swim fest portion - 2.4 mile swim. I think I might be able to handle that this season. I found another somewhat local race, a 7.5 mile river swim that intrigues me. Maybe something new to strive for.
I haven't been swimming for a year yet (technically and competitvely that is)and I have alot of anxiety in the water. Still, in the 4 triathlons i've completed already, despite only giving maybe a 50% effort(most of this is due my lack of mental preperation), my highest ranked sport is the swim. When I practice and it's not often, but on occassion, it just clicks. I get into that zone and glide easily through the water, almost effortlessly. I feel I could just keep going and going. It's peaceful.
So i'm thinking, maybe open water long distance swimming will replace running marathons for the time being. We'll see...something else to chat with the coach about.
I'm hoping to do a 1 mile open water swim in the Chesapeake, which is the same day that organization is also holding a 4.4 mile swim. I might be interested in doing that the following year. There is a local ironman that also has an aquavelo option or just the swim fest portion - 2.4 mile swim. I think I might be able to handle that this season. I found another somewhat local race, a 7.5 mile river swim that intrigues me. Maybe something new to strive for.
I haven't been swimming for a year yet (technically and competitvely that is)and I have alot of anxiety in the water. Still, in the 4 triathlons i've completed already, despite only giving maybe a 50% effort(most of this is due my lack of mental preperation), my highest ranked sport is the swim. When I practice and it's not often, but on occassion, it just clicks. I get into that zone and glide easily through the water, almost effortlessly. I feel I could just keep going and going. It's peaceful.
So i'm thinking, maybe open water long distance swimming will replace running marathons for the time being. We'll see...something else to chat with the coach about.
Friday, December 07, 2007
Valentine's Flashback
I have no idea why this popped into my head....I swear if you didn't know me you'd think I was on some serious drugs. I may be loopy right now because of having a stomach virus all week and not being able to injest any food of substance. But anyway, i'm going to share with you a flashback I had of some previous Valentine's Days (random - I know...just go with me on this).
A few days before Valentine's Day about 5 or 6 years ago, I was dancing on the bar at a Biker bar in downtown Manhattan with a few of the girls from my band at my bass player's bachelorette party. None of these facts are relevant....I just like remembering the details. This guy named Jeff, who was a Canadian transplant living in Manhattan for work, decided I was his favorite. I guess we exchanged email addresses because a few days later, I got a message from him. Turns out we only lived two blocks from each other on the Upper West Side. We decided to get together on a Wednesday or Thursday night that week. It wasn't until we were actually out that we realized it was Valentine's Day. I don't remember if we went out to eat. I do remember we went to Evelyn Lounge in our neighborhood for some drinks and we went back to his place for a "nightcap" of an illegal substance.....yeah, very different Nicole than the one those of you who've recently met me now know. I was a crazy (and i'll admit somewhat promiscuous) drummer/dancer chic living in New York. I didn't get home until the next morning (i'll leave it up to your imagination) but I do remember it was one of those mornings that I felt crappy about. This was the beginning of the end of my wild child mid-20s. Jeff and I kept in touch and did get together again a few months later before he moved back to Toronto. I haven't seen or spoken to him since that last time.
The following year, I actually planned a very last minute first date that I had met on the internet. I remember his name was Morgan. He was an attorney. I wasn't very attracted to him. He drank ALOT and I had cut back at that point. We went to eat at North West which was across the street from the Evelyn Lounge so we ended up there afterwards. Deja vu. This night would not end the same as the year before however - he wanted it to. He wanted me to invite him up. Just wasn't worth it for me. And it felt great saying no. Progress was being made.
About a month ago, I was catching up with one of my friends over lunch, and for the first time, I said it out loud. I really enjoy being single right now. And I truly meant it. Ok, i'll admit, there are moments when you just want some attention or would enjoy a night of cuddling. But overall, it's a good place to be in. I have my share of crushes - some of them forbidden which makes it even more fun. But i've embraced the positive aspect of being unattached.
If someone amazing comes by, I won't let him go. But in the meantime, my friends and my sport are my priorities and are all the fulfillment I need.
A few days before Valentine's Day about 5 or 6 years ago, I was dancing on the bar at a Biker bar in downtown Manhattan with a few of the girls from my band at my bass player's bachelorette party. None of these facts are relevant....I just like remembering the details. This guy named Jeff, who was a Canadian transplant living in Manhattan for work, decided I was his favorite. I guess we exchanged email addresses because a few days later, I got a message from him. Turns out we only lived two blocks from each other on the Upper West Side. We decided to get together on a Wednesday or Thursday night that week. It wasn't until we were actually out that we realized it was Valentine's Day. I don't remember if we went out to eat. I do remember we went to Evelyn Lounge in our neighborhood for some drinks and we went back to his place for a "nightcap" of an illegal substance.....yeah, very different Nicole than the one those of you who've recently met me now know. I was a crazy (and i'll admit somewhat promiscuous) drummer/dancer chic living in New York. I didn't get home until the next morning (i'll leave it up to your imagination) but I do remember it was one of those mornings that I felt crappy about. This was the beginning of the end of my wild child mid-20s. Jeff and I kept in touch and did get together again a few months later before he moved back to Toronto. I haven't seen or spoken to him since that last time.
The following year, I actually planned a very last minute first date that I had met on the internet. I remember his name was Morgan. He was an attorney. I wasn't very attracted to him. He drank ALOT and I had cut back at that point. We went to eat at North West which was across the street from the Evelyn Lounge so we ended up there afterwards. Deja vu. This night would not end the same as the year before however - he wanted it to. He wanted me to invite him up. Just wasn't worth it for me. And it felt great saying no. Progress was being made.
About a month ago, I was catching up with one of my friends over lunch, and for the first time, I said it out loud. I really enjoy being single right now. And I truly meant it. Ok, i'll admit, there are moments when you just want some attention or would enjoy a night of cuddling. But overall, it's a good place to be in. I have my share of crushes - some of them forbidden which makes it even more fun. But i've embraced the positive aspect of being unattached.
If someone amazing comes by, I won't let him go. But in the meantime, my friends and my sport are my priorities and are all the fulfillment I need.
Saturday, December 01, 2007
Can't ..... Stop..... Crying
Jesus - i'm like a leaky faucet these days! It's one thing to be a sensitive, emotional person. But it's another to not be able to control the tears from flowing when in public.
Exhibit #1:
Today, at the nail salon, as i'm getting my pedicure and reading the January Runner's World, CNN was airing a special on the orphans in Africa who's parents died from AIDS. I tried not to pay attention, but I could hear those children's voices. That did it - the tears started flowing.
Exhibit #2:
I already mentioned this in an earlier post, once I hit mile 20 at the NYC Marathon, seeing the physically challenged athlete walking with his guide, followed by bagpipers, uncontrollable tears streamed down my face. I put my sunglasses on to try to hide it. But those tears kept creeping up during that last 10K.
Exhibit #3:
Yesterday, in my boss's office, when she called me in to say she felt I was "unhappy". I am unhappy there, but I can't fully tell her why because I need this job, I need this paycheck, I need this health insurance. I can't leave until I know I have secured some other form of income, especially since my mother has just been layed off from her job (after being their for 15 years - nice huh). I have to step up and help out. As I was telling her some of the frustrations I had with my job (choosing my words carefully so as to try not to jeopardize my employment there), the tears started flowing. It was embarrassing. I felt so unprofessional.
Exhibit #4:
Reading Jenna's blog about the Philadelphia marathon made me cry - but I guess that wasn't in public. So did watching the Ironman World Championship special on NBC today - again, that was in my home. But still...the tears!
On a side note about the meeting with my boss - one thing she said to me was that the only thing that she knows about me is that I love my sports. She wishes I was as excited about my job as I am about sports. I can't explain that to her. I'm a dancer - even though i'm retired, i'll always be a dancer. I've been physically training my body since I was three years old. It's a way of life. It's like breathing for me. I'm only an average runner/triathlete right now - but training and competing - learning how to use my body in a different way - it feels like home to me. It feels natural, comfortable. It makes me feel like all is right in my world. It is the only thing that makes me truly happy. I'm having a hard time finding the words to describe this - i'm not doing it any justice. I suppose what i'm saying is, it's essential to my being. I'm dancing in the water, through transitions, on the trails and roads.
But back to the crying - I feel like at some point, everyday, I don't know what's going to set it off, but something will. It's like I feel too much. Is this what happens when you turn 31? Too much estrogen flowing through me? When will it stop?!??! I'm not saying I haven't been an emotional person all my life - but now, this is ridiculous.
Exhibit #1:
Today, at the nail salon, as i'm getting my pedicure and reading the January Runner's World, CNN was airing a special on the orphans in Africa who's parents died from AIDS. I tried not to pay attention, but I could hear those children's voices. That did it - the tears started flowing.
Exhibit #2:
I already mentioned this in an earlier post, once I hit mile 20 at the NYC Marathon, seeing the physically challenged athlete walking with his guide, followed by bagpipers, uncontrollable tears streamed down my face. I put my sunglasses on to try to hide it. But those tears kept creeping up during that last 10K.
Exhibit #3:
Yesterday, in my boss's office, when she called me in to say she felt I was "unhappy". I am unhappy there, but I can't fully tell her why because I need this job, I need this paycheck, I need this health insurance. I can't leave until I know I have secured some other form of income, especially since my mother has just been layed off from her job (after being their for 15 years - nice huh). I have to step up and help out. As I was telling her some of the frustrations I had with my job (choosing my words carefully so as to try not to jeopardize my employment there), the tears started flowing. It was embarrassing. I felt so unprofessional.
Exhibit #4:
Reading Jenna's blog about the Philadelphia marathon made me cry - but I guess that wasn't in public. So did watching the Ironman World Championship special on NBC today - again, that was in my home. But still...the tears!
On a side note about the meeting with my boss - one thing she said to me was that the only thing that she knows about me is that I love my sports. She wishes I was as excited about my job as I am about sports. I can't explain that to her. I'm a dancer - even though i'm retired, i'll always be a dancer. I've been physically training my body since I was three years old. It's a way of life. It's like breathing for me. I'm only an average runner/triathlete right now - but training and competing - learning how to use my body in a different way - it feels like home to me. It feels natural, comfortable. It makes me feel like all is right in my world. It is the only thing that makes me truly happy. I'm having a hard time finding the words to describe this - i'm not doing it any justice. I suppose what i'm saying is, it's essential to my being. I'm dancing in the water, through transitions, on the trails and roads.
But back to the crying - I feel like at some point, everyday, I don't know what's going to set it off, but something will. It's like I feel too much. Is this what happens when you turn 31? Too much estrogen flowing through me? When will it stop?!??! I'm not saying I haven't been an emotional person all my life - but now, this is ridiculous.
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