Hey, how's it going?

Yup, it's been a while. So much for regular blogging. Of course once or twice a month is a form of regular, right? Good stuff going on around here; losing weight each week, training is picking up and I'm getting in some nice workouts. Snow is happening again, which is not so good as it puts a cramp in my style. For instance, today I am scheduled for a 75 minute run. It is snowing and raining and yucky out. I could do it on the treadmill, but that is like torture to me. Factor in work, the commute in the snow, etc. and I don't know when I'll get it in. I did get up early and went to the gym for a long swim so that's good. I have a couple of things to get done here, then may head home early and see what the conditions are like for an outdoor run. I'd rather do it here in NJ 'cause it's flatter, but we'll have to see how it goes.

Headed in the right direction

Did I mention I am trying to drop some weight? I'd like to get down to 150 by the time I start my 20 week IM plan. I realize that's just a number, but based on my body composition and my current weight I think it's a good target. Tuesday is my weigh in day, and after 1 week of no change, one week of adding .4 lbs, this morning I registered a .8 lb loss at 164.0. This was after my largest training volume week in months, and only slightly reducing caloric intake. I haven't been counting calories at all, just focusing on smarter choices and not over eating. I may start the counting but we'll see how I do in the next couple of weeks. I was a bit disappointed that the third digit was still a 4 but I am headed in the right direction.

The Weather Outside is Frightful

Ok, maybe not frightful, but it's snowing and cold and windy. I'm scheduled to do a FTP running test today and I don't think I'll be able to do it outdoors. Poop! I'd really hate to have to do it on a treadmill. Not even sure I could do it accurately that way, though if you are getting VO2 Max or lactate threshold testing done professionally that is done on a treadmill, but under supervised conditions.

What's an FTP test you ask? This is:

After 10 minute warm up, you are going to run for 30 minutes as hard as you can for the entire 30 minutes. After starting the run, hit your 'Lap' button so you record the average HR over the last 20 minutes. This can be run on track or measured course (flat). Record the time and get a 10 minute cool down.

It's designed to help you calculate heart rate zones for running workouts. It can also be done on the bike. When done right, it's no fun at all :) I did it in the spring but my plan calls for it today. I would like to see where I stand since the last test.

The rest of it

Today is the first day of my 8 Week Run Focused Winter Maintenance plan from BeginnerTriathlete.com. Day 1 is a rest day. Woo hoo!!!

1111

If you know binary, you'll know that essentially 1 is "on" and 0 is"off". Today is 1/1/11; that's a lot of ones. Oh yeah, it's on big time for 2011.

This in the year of Ironman
This is the year of deeper spiritual growth
This is the year of an even stronger partnership with my wife
This is the year of professional growth
This is the year of dreams coming true
This is THE year!


It's on!

Slacker

I've done nothing since Sunday. Well, I shoveled snow, and drove over to Jersey to see my kids but other than that I've pretty much been sitting around eating. At least my weight on Tuesday was the same as last Tuesday and not higher.

Oh, I did make a meditation bench for J and started another for me. I'll get some pictures up when they are both complete.

I'm going to go for a swim today, but need to wait for the aqua fit ladies to clear out. I had such high hopes for working out and getting things done this week. But it's only Wednesday! Still plenty of time to procrastinate on other stay-cation projects.

Some time later......

I got the swim in and worked some more on the meditation benches. My head is all stuffy and my sinuses irritated from the pool today. Very heavy on the chemicals it was.

Christmas Eve

Merry Christmas everyone! (Like there are so many people reading this :) )

Went for a chilly and hilly 30 mile bike ride today. Went out Conshohocken Sate Rd to the Schuylkill Trail, turned around near Valley Forge and road back. There are some nice hills along that route but I sure don't like the traffic. One spot the speed limit is 30 MPH, I wass doing 32 and getting passed. What is wrong with people? They had to drive in excess of the speed limit and cross a double yellow to pass a cyclist who was riding down the hill over 30 MPH. Still, I like the up hills and the down hills. I need to venture out on new routes. I'm getting a bit bored with the SRT, but it is convenient.

So, I decided to drop some weight. I am at 164.4 (12/21) and want to get to 150 by the time I start the 20 week IM plan. Don't think I've been that light since my 20's. I'll have to see how my body reacts and how I feel. Most height/weight charts want me well below that; one has 139 -151. I'd be a skeleton at 139!

I've got to lose 1.3 lbs a week. With my wife's awesome cooking and baking that's going to be a challenge.