Times are good!

Times are good!   I have my first race coming up next weekend...Leon's Olympic distance tri on June 3rd.  I've never raced it but my tri club Endure It! races as a team.  I'm excited to see what this race and team is all about.    Over the weekend was my oldest daughter's recital.  She's into dance which as a kid I never tried, but it's cute for the little ones. 

Last week was my first week using Jennifer Garrison coaching.  I successfully did a 70 mile bike ride and a 14 mile run the following day.   It was a breath of fresh air to have work outs listed on training peaks with great detail for everyday.  Ironman is a huge obstacle to tackle and I know Jenny can get me there.  She also understands the way I need to train with having work, family and life in general.   And just seeing the difference in the running workouts is incredible.   I feel much more confident now.     I'll be posting after Leon's....have a great Memorial Day weekend. 

Monster Swim

Today was the Naperville Waves Monster Swim. The swim for me was 50 x 100s on the 1:40 and then I did 17 x 75 which was 6,275 yards in two hours. I was nervious about the swim, not knowing if that would be enough rest but it was. We averaged 1:25 per 100. This was an event that I would do again. Sue Welker had it full of prizes, organization & music. My husband and kids came for the last half hour. It was cute to see them moving their shoulders to the music & excitment on their face to see all the people swimming. Annabelle came up to me and said "How did you do that flip in the water?" Elizabeth said, "I want to learn that?" It was their first time seeing flip turns, which there were many many turns today.

The other reason I wanted to do the swim today was to make the Ironman swim distance swim no problem. That distance is 2.4miles around 4,000 yards.

My running partner & I had a very long run last week, 11.25 miles. I think that will be my longest for awhile. I really don't want to get injured and there have already been a few bumps along the way. We are lucky to have had such a mild winter. It will be nice to run tomorrow in 48 degrees and sun.

Living Well Bridge Walk

This morning my family attended the Living Well Pancake kick-off for the 5K Bridge Walk. First I should tell you about Living Well cancer resource center. For me Living Well was a place I could turn to for many reasons. Before I went into the complete "survivor phase" I decided to discuss different feelings I might go through. I also did nutritional seminars to learn about the super foods and good recipes to take home. I also did yoga to learn how my lumpectomy can effect my arm and how to stretch through exercise. As a triathlete yoga was a new form of exercise for me and also brought an element of spirituality to my journey.

Lastly, the great thing about Living Well is they offer all the services free of charge, such as:

*Weekly support groups for people affeted by cancer and their families

*One-on-one and family counseling

*Eduational seminars and presentations

*Mind, body and fitness programs

*Nutitional classes held in the demonstration kitchen

*Stress, pain and fatigue management through massage, art and other workshops

To conclude my family and possibly yours could join us at the 5K Bridge Walk in Geneva, IL on May 19th. Contact me for the registration form or go to www.livingwellcrc.org

The team I'll be walking under is called Rockstars 2012 lead by team captain Kaitie Hauser. Please join me in supporting this very important and worthwhile organization by mailing me a tax-deductible donation (please make checks payable to LivingWell Cancer Resource Center), or make a donation on- line by going to www.livingwellcrc.org

click on the Bridge Walk logo, select “Sponsor Walker”, and follow the Bridge
Walk donation instructions. My team’s name is Rockstars 2012.

"Now I only have two kinds of days...good days and great days." Lance Armstrong

Hope you had a great holiday season. As we start in our 2012 routines I thought I would share thoughts from a book called. In Defense of Food, by Michael Pollan

This book mostly goes over how we should eat plant based foods. You might already know most of the things on this list, but with the new year I thought it would fun to post. I won't get into great detail on the list, if it interests you I'm sure you can find this book.

Avoid Food Products containing ingredients that are A) Unfamiliar B) Unpronounceable C)More than Five in number D) High-Fructose Corn Syrup.

Avoid food products that make claims.

Shop the peripheries of the supermarket and stay out of the middle (essentially we need to be in the middle for survival bread, soups, condiments, ect)

Eat mostly plants, especially leaves (we are not vegetarians in our house, but I agree it's a good idea for lots of veggies)

You are what your Eat eats too.

Eat well-grown food from healthy soils.

Eat wild foods when you can.

Be the kind of person who takes supplements.

Eat more like the French, or the Italians, or the Japanese or Greeks.

Don't get your fuel from the same place your car does.

Eat slowly.

Cook and if you can plant a garden

In conjunction with my training we are always trying to learn more on how to eat better. These are some things that we are already doing and want to add. Adam plans to expand our garden this year with foods we enjoy daily.

Thanks Saucony! I have been a fan of Saucony Pro Grid ride shoes and yesterday this package came in the mail from them. I didn't get a sponsorship, but instead they sent me Sacu-Fit Power Grid pink and black shoes which are amazing. Then I got a 2nd package that has 2 jackets (one winter, one spring) running shorts and two tops. This so generious and nice!

Today I ran in the new Sauc-Fit 4mm shoes. They really felt great! They will also be good on a hot day with the big vents in the outside of the shoe. See all the products at www.saucony.com

My running partner and I got in 6.7 miles today, in 19 degree weather. The only thing cold was my face. I need to get a face/chin protector to stay warm on days like this.

This week I signed up for Leon's olympic distrance tri June 3rd in Hammond, IN. Endure it races this as a team.

Happy Holidays to your family!

CDO.1 Quintana Roo

Thank you Urban Tri Gear and Quintana Roo for helping me get the CDO.1 tri bike. Luke did a great job setting me up at the Burr Ridge location. The bike is a camouflage design in pink. I really like the size too, its a 52 Medium. My last QR was a small. It's really exiting to ride. Today I did the 90 min CompuTrainer class at Endure it (like I do every Saturday morning). I could already tell my threshold numbers are higher than before because this bike is pushing more power.

Yesterday neighbor Dave & were outside running right after the 1st snow fall. The neighborhood looked beautiful with the white snow on the houses and streets. Last week I was wondering when the 1st snow would fall. For Chicago it has been pretty mild weather until now. As long as the sun is out, I'll take the weather we get. As for running in the snow it felt harder. I would say much harder, but not everyone would agree. By the end my chin was numb. A nice cup off hot green tea was perfect afterwards.

Today I ran across this quote: "Success is is not a destination that you ever reach. Success is the quality of your journey" -Jennifer James. I like to apply that to life, it's all about the journey we each go through everyday. Let's make the most out of our days and lives. Enjoy the little moments!

I am overjoyed and proud to say that Quintana Roo is sponsoring me. I have loved my QR bike. Their products are top of the line, reliable and fast. You can check out the bike and accessories at http://quintanarootri.com You can check out a slideshow of bikes out on the road at http://www.flickr.com//photos/quintanarootri/show/