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Silverman 70.3 this weekend with Operation Rebound!

posted: November 5th 2009 | posted in Blog, Race Preview, Training, Travel | No Comments »

Quick update.

Vegas baby! Tomorrow I am happy to announce that New Balance is sending me to Vegas to race the Silverman Triathlon with Team Operation Rebound.

www.operationrebound.org

Operation Rebound provides unparalleled sports opportunities and support to our troops and veterans of any branch of service and first responders who have served honorably and have suffered permanent physical injuries.

This is an amazing group of hard core individuals and I am really looking forward to getting to know each and every one of them.  How can a double leg amputee guy ride a bike for 56 miles? How can a guy with one arm swim open water for 1.2 miles? One answer, a big big heart. It is truly an inspiration and I am happy to represent New Balance and run the final leg of the relay. I’ll post pics and notes from the weekend.

On a training note, things couldn’t be better. I am enjoying being back in Vermont and getting some sea level air. My speed has been progressing slowly, but my strength and endurance have been developing quite rapidly.  I am really excited for 2010 and my return to distance running. It’s been great training 2 hours a day instead of 4-8! I actually have a social life and that to me keeps me in balance.  I will be starting my 2010 season off at my favorite race venue. Houston!  Always a special place for me with lots of great race memories. I’ll race the half, they aim for Grandmas marathon in June.

Lastly, I want to congratulate all of my athletes. On Track has had some incredible race performances in 2009, and I am very optimistic about 2010. We will have a strong contingency at the Boston Marathon this April. Keep at it guys and girls. I’m proud of you.

Now, get your ass out the door and train!

Fall is here

posted: September 28th 2009 | posted in Blog, Training, Travel | No Comments »

I forgot how pretty it is here in Vermont during the fall months. This is the best time of the year to be a runner. One of the things I missed most while I was in Colorado is running in the forest during a New England fall. The smell of fall in the air, crisp cool air, the smell of a forest, and the sound of the leaves crunching under your feet. It’s my favorite time of the year and I am happy to be back feeling good and running every day.

Dr Radnay did a great job with my ankle surgery and Brian cracked the whip with my physical therapy sessions. So far so good and I am hoping to make a return to racing in January at the Houston Half Marathon National Championships.  It’s a great race with a lot of excitement and I am really looking forward to participating in a few months.

Along with Fall comes Kona! We head to Kona this Saturday for a 10 day trip. Kim has been in Tucson preparing for the kona heat and her training is going very well with training partner Sam McGlone. I’m just jealous because they are having way too much fun without lil ol me! grrrr….. They train great together and I made them promise to put on a good show for me out there.

I’ve been loving Vermont. It has been a great move for me. Work is great and I am  having a blast with my athletes.

Now get your ass out the door and train!

Here are some pics from my last run with my favorite training partners. (sorry Kim , you’ve been replaced) We ran at Niquette State park.

Ironman CDA!

posted: June 8th 2009 | posted in Blog, Family & Friends, Race Preview, Training | No Comments »

Whoo, things have been so busy since I got back to Boulder. I had a solid training cycle in Tucson and continued plugging along here in Boulder. I am very excited to be in taper mode. I thought it would never arrive! Needless to say I am officially in what I call the “Oh Shit” phase. You know, you spend months and months preparing for a race. You are tired all the time, and can not wait until the taper. Then the taper comes, and you are like “Oh Shit, I need more training. I’m not ready. I need more time!!!!” Funny how the “Oh Shit” phase works.

I had a very hard time training for this race. It was not easy. I had to juggle a lot of other responsibilities. Yes, I compete as a professional, but I certainly don’t live the lifestyle of the typical pro triathlete. I work 2 jobs, and am a full time student.  There were many times where after a 7 hour workout, I would eat my dinner in the car and rush off to work and give massages. I would think,”How on earth  am I going to get through this night!”  Then I would come home, and hit the books. It was so incredibly challenging for me and I just kept feeling like I was being tested.  There were many times when I thought that I couldn’t handle the training and maybe I shouldn’t do the race. But then I thought about all the age groupers out there who work full time, have families, and they do it, with a smile of their faces!!! I have realized through this training cycle that the pro’s are definitely not the heros. Don’t get me wrong, they are to be admired and commended, but it is the age groupers who I really find inspirational. Those who juggle so much and still manage to complete one of these crazy races. I want to congratulate all the age groupers. I will be racing for all of us out there next Sunday!.  Thanks for giving me the inspiration to finish this journey  I am really excited for this race. It will be my first triathlon in over a year. I plan on punishing myself to the max but also enjoying every minute of it because I know the finish line is the best reward!

Special thanks to Coach Kim for putting up with me throughout my preparation and being supportive of my absolutely insane mountain climb long runs haha. We’ll see if it works!!!!!! Kim will be with me all week. Thank goodness, because how am I going to pump up my tires by myself! (I’m sort of kidding)

Also want to thank Kim for lending me her Cervelo, race wheels, wetsuit, aero helmet, etc… ok you get the idea. Thanks sissy!!

Ok guys and girls, get your ass out the door and train

Bye Bye Tucson!

posted: April 7th 2009 | posted in Blog, Family & Friends, Training, Travel | No Comments »

It’s hard to believe Kim and I are leaving Tucson this weekend. Time has flown by and we had an absolute blast making new friends and training like crazy.  The training here has been great and I only hope all the hard work will pay off. Kim heads to China this weekend without me. It was a hard decision, but I have decided not to race. It’s just to much money to spend to go to a race where I will not be at my best. I’m hoping to hold on to this fitness and shoot for some fun 70.3’s and possibly Idaho, although I don’t know how I can do all this training without the sis. She dragged my ass to the pool so many times when I didn’t want to go! Thanks sis! I return back to Boulder this weekend. Looking forward to some runs on Mags and also taking the kidos to the Boulder Res for a swim.  Here are some fun pics from our trip. I also want to say thanks to the best homestay host in the world. John, thanks so much for EVERYTHING!! especially the incredible wine    

Getting ready for hill repeats on Gates pass.

Post Run Cactus Trail

Taking a break from Training!!!  

Little critters having fun on trash night. They think they hit the jackpot!    

Fun in the pool,  Group swim with Sam McGlone and Coach Cliff English!!   Thanks Cliff and Sam for some great training and fun times!  GOOD LUCK IN CHINA SISSY!!!!!

Tucson Here We Come!!

posted: January 19th 2009 | posted in Blog, Family & Friends, Training | No Comments »

The word is in. Kim has made her decision and has informed me last week that I am racing Ironman China with her. OK sounds like a hoot to me. I guess it’s crazy hot there in April, so I am digging  a little heat exhaustion. It will give me some flash backs of the good ol days in Houston where I ran my afternoon runs with temps in the 100’s!   The holiday binge eating and drinking is now over and I have been training hard the past 2 weeks. I had such a wonderful time with my family on Long Island. It was some good family bonding, along with lots of great movie watching. By the way my eyes still hurt from watching Marley and Me. Needless to say I made a fool out of myself in the movie theater.  We are having crazy warm temperatures here in Boulder. Today I ran a long run in shorts and a t-shirt and got a little sun burn on my face. More sun to come as Kim, Pre, Aggie, and I are headed down to Tucson for 3 months prior to Ironman China. Kim and I always have a blast training together. We can be in the middle of an interval, going all out, then start laughing at something. Gotta keep it interesting I guess. We are pretty whacky together. On another note, I am very happy to be a part of the Trakkers team for 2009. For those of you who  do not know, Trakkers makes a GPS device which delivers GPS technology in real time. Friends and family members will be able to follow an athletes progress on race day in real time simply by going to the web page. It is truly an incredibly much needed product! Check it out at Trakkersgps.com. Here are some fun photos.   

Kramer kicked my ass yesterday in Boulder, but I made him stop for a photo! 

Here’s a pic of the kidos taking care of Aunt Kim at our last training camp together in Boulder. Funny, I have the Queen bed, but for some reason they always slept on her, I  mean with her!     

And finally, here’s a pic of the kidos ripping apart their christmas present. Better the bear than the tree!.  Aggie is sporting her Princess pillow, which Pre ate an hour later. Now for the funny story of the day. So, I was running on Montauk Highway in Long Island, and I swear I nearly fell over when I saw a sign (right next to a little pond off the busy highway) which read, “Caution, Wildlife Crossing” Being a Boulder girl, I started laughing hysterically as I saw a cute little baby duck and her momma ever so slowly waddle across the street. AHHAAAAHAA . Later, I told my mom about what I saw and she replied,” Yeah those things are viscous!”  It was hilarious!  Ok guys and girls, get your ass out the door and train!

Training on Long Island

posted: December 20th 2008 | posted in Blog, Family & Friends, Training, Travel | No Comments »

Man am I spoiled.  A few weeks ago I was training in this!  Now this!!

Honestly, I don’t really care. I still get out the door, get the job done, have fun, and try not to complain. I have come to the point where just getting out the door is an accomplishment and I treasure it. Everyone knows my rule with complaining about the weather. You can complain, but only for one season and you can pick which one. Summer or winter but it can’t be both! The kidos and I have travelled to Long Island where we will spend a month! We are really enjoying some quality family time and I have discovered that Christmas shopping really is a part time job. It is hard work, especially here in New York where just finding a parking spot is a real accomplishment and you better make sure that you aren’t stealing it from someone else because you know what they say!!! “Don’t Fu&^k with New Yorkers.” It is also true! All kidding aside, I am having a wonderful time here with my family. I love living in such a beautiful city but I sure do get lonely at times.So, I have spent the past few weeks trying to decide what I will train for next. What will 2009 hold for me! Well, Kim and I have decided that I am skitzo (as we call it in NY!) and I have issues making decisions haha!. I told her I was training for Boston, then an hour later I told her I was training for Ironman China! So I told Kim that she will decide for me and what ever she decides would be best , I will go for it 100%. This is scary for me since I have a feeling as to what she will say hahaaaaa It will be a fun year!! We head to Tucson Feb 1st for a training camp and we are really looking forward to some warm weather. Happy Holidays everyone. Enjoy, be happy and healthy and get your ass out the door and train!!!!

Still Pluggin Along

posted: November 22nd 2008 | posted in Blog, Family & Friends, Training | No Comments »

Things are going great here in Boulder. We had a few days of close to record breaking warm temps so of course I was in my glory. However it is now back to normal temps and the hats and gloves are back out. Winter has always been my least favorite time of the year. Anyone who knows me knows that the only thing I hate more than the cold would be snow and ice! Kim and I have decided to head to Tucson for a few months this winter and enjoy training in some sunshine during the winter months.   Kim has been in Boulder for the past 3 weeks training for Ironman AZ. Once again, we had a blast training together. I’m sort of in the off season, so I’ve been just jogging and trying to work on my strength at the gym.  My goal is to lift the amount I did when I was in college for the old school exercises such as squats, bench press, and walking lunges. Fun fun. That was 13 years ago. Oh God, ok, now I am feeling quite depressed and old….So, here are a few pictures of more epic training in boulder. These are pictures taken from the Boulder Blue Stem Trail, South Boulder Creek Trail , and the famous Mesa Trail. 

Epic Running In Boulder

posted: October 23rd 2008 | posted in Blog, Training | No Comments »

Today was one of those runs where you never want it to end. When I am training hard for a race, I tend to run the same familiar trails everyday. I know the footing, the turns,the elevation,  everything about the trail. I don’t get lost and I know exactly how far I will run. Today, I decided to try something new. I headed to South Boulder to run a mixture of the most popular trails here. Dowdy Draw, The Ditch, Marshal Mesa, and who knows what else I ended up on. I printed out a map with a 12 mile loop and brought it with me. As I left the car, I looked at the map and said ,”Screw it! Let’s have fun.” I chucked the map and did what Kim and I loved to do together when we were kids ” Be explorers of trail blazing” that’s what we called ourselves. We would hang out in the forest for hours. It was a great run. Just about 2 hours of nice easy running. There are endless trails here in Boulder and the beauty is amazing. As I ran these trails today, I couldn’t help but to look around at the scenery. I felt so grateful that I am able to do what I love everyday, in such a beautiful place. There is always something new to explore. As you can see from the pictures, It was another cloudy shitty day here in Boulder!!!

Training is going well. I am entering into a big base build phase where I will be banging out many many miles. Mostly aerobic running and hill work. perfect for the trails!  

Freakin Go Time For The Sista

posted: October 11th 2008 | posted in Blog, Family & Friends, Racing, Training, Travel | No Comments »

Well we are here. The biggest race of the year for any pro triathlete. Kona baby and this place is kickin. There is so much excitement in the air here. It is great. What a love for the sport and love for testing one’s own mental and physical abilities.  I really enjoy meeting people from all over the world. Kim is ready to seek a little revenge from last year. Last year was painful to watch. Kim started the race with an injury which later she discovered was a stress fracture of the femur. I thought I was tough one year when I ran the world championships on a stress fracture (didn’t know at the time) but she raced an ironman with one. She also didn’t know til after the race. So, needless to say last year was devastating for Kim.I have to say, I have never seen her more relaxed. So many people freak out and waste way to much energy worrying. She is very calm and confident. I ran with her the past few days. Some nice easy runs and some nice quick strides.  Kim and I had a blast training together in Boulder this summer. I like to think that on race day, I will be pushing her just like I did all those tempo runs out by the Boulder Res.  Kim and I are so close. I am so lucky to have my very best friend be my twin sis. We share so much together. When she races, I swear I am right on her shoulder. I feel her pain, feel her struggles, and feel her glory. It’s unexplanable.It’s going to be a great day. The whole family is here to cheer. Brian, my bud from HS Tanja (T dog), mom, and Brians whole family. We are looking forward to some excitement.Another shout out for my bud Michael Lovato. The Lovatos are amazing people and I have really enjoyed becoming great friends with them. Also to my friends Fee Docherty, Alex, Brad Seng, and many others. I’ll be cheering.See you all at the finish line. PS no  Kim was not drinking in that picture, but we were!!!!

Kim Wins Ironman 70.3 Cancun

posted: October 5th 2008 | posted in Blog, Family & Friends, Training | No Comments »

Here is her race report

Well after 6 weeks in Boulder, I wasn’t quite ready to go home, so I made a last minute decision to race the Cancun 70.3. The race went well and it was good to see that my fitness and heat tolerance is on track for Kona (see my homepage for a race report).  I am now home in Vermont.  The weather has been great and I got to do my last long ride under sunny skies and upper 70 temps.  I felt great and could definitely feel the difference biking at sea level.  It was nice to be able to drink out of my water bottle without gasping for air!   Late September is my favorite season in Vermont.  The leaves are starting to change, but it is still sunny and relatively warm.  I am home for just a few more days, then I am off to Hawaii for 2 weeks!

Funny, she forgot to thank me for all those tempo runs over by the Boulder Res!  ha Oh, and for cooking her dinner, keeping the fridge constantly packed (Kim eats more than you can imagine, sometimes I’m like “Wow you eating again !!”  ), giving her massages, and being her run coach. Don’t worry Kim, I forgive you. Just buy me a Kona Longboard lager and we call it even. Seriously though, I am so happy for Kim. She is on her way to a great race in Kona.  Go Kim! I’ll be joining her this week. Here’s a picture which was taken after a 13 miler with 2×4 mile tempo.  Check back for updates!!