Boston, Triathlon Training and Life in General.

My mind has been going a million miles a minute lately (unfortunately my feet haven't been following), so today is just a few things spilling out of my head. 

Related to Boston Marathon
The memorial was removed from Copley Square this week, all of the items are going to be cleaned and archived. Runners World also reported "a Remembrance Committee will be formed to help establish a permanent memorial or some type of event or structure to honor victims and survivors". Some runners were upset that the memorial was removed before the One Run For Boston running relay reached Boston, but they are still running for a great cause and that is what counts. I think that removing the memorial doesn't mean forgetting, it means moving forward in honor of all those affected.

Image from Runner's World Article

For those of you who don't know, Monday is going to be a big day for many. The Boston Athletic Association will be announcing the September registration dates/procedures for the 2014 Boston Marathon. Seeing as the interest in running the race has drastically increased, registration dates/procedures are going to be key for those (like myself) who will be trying to register. I plan on stalking watching the B.A.A website on Monday while waiting for the information to be released.

Related to my Training
Last week was a big training week for me, and I got through it pretty well (a few naps were necessary). This week I actually backed off a little Monday-Wednesday, I listened to my body and that's what it told me to do. I'm not in pain, I am not even crazy sore, but I am tired. I know that training for a half-iron distance triathlon is supposed to be tiring, but with less than 3 weeks to go I WILL NOT risk burning out or getting injured. The good thing is though, I backed off of my running and cycling for 3 days but actually swam all 3 days. It's my weakest of the 3 events, so I know that I need to be doing it the most. This weekend I have another long ride planned, on top of a few "dress rehearsals"--wearing my +Saucony Tri-top and shorts on the bike, in the pool and on a run. Hopefully my new racing flats come in soon so I can break them in before Musselman.

On Life in General
Working between 2 offices right now has been, interesting to say the least...but FINALLY we have a set move date so that both of the people I work for will be in the same office. Although this eliminates driving between 2 offices, it also eliminates that extra caffeine I would pick up on the way.

Studying has been going awesome, well as awesome as studying can be. I'm really getting comfortable with my Series 7 information and have been doing well on the practice questions(Kaplan has been AMAZING help, FYI). Also studying for my ACE CPT has been a little much on top of everything else going on, but the good thing about that information helps me with training and keeps me interested. So my 7 studying relates to all the work I do each day, and the ACE CPT relates to all of my training and workouts; so at least I can tie this overwhelming amount of information into my daily grind!

There are lots of exciting things going on with our families right now. My Soon-to-be-sister-in-law is a few days past due with her second child, can't wait to meet our new little nephew! Next week John and I will be going to Cape Vincent in the 1000 Islands to vacation with my family for a few days; (read: I will be holding my 3 month old nephew the ENTIRE time). AAAANNNDDDD just because I haven't shared any photos of my sister's little one recently.....here you go....

I'm not bias, he really is just THAT cute. Little Alden turns 3 months on Tuesday!

What are your thoughts of the removal of Boston Marathon Memorial?

Are you waiting to register for a fall Marathon until you know what registration dates are for Boston? 

(in attempt to try and qualify before it opens)

What are some random things going on in your life right now?

Allergies, girl problems, & training design, oh my.

Just some random's for the day...

1. Last nights workout: 4 easy miles, being a girl really helped slow me down and take it easy. I felt like a marshmallow running, the 5 pounds of water weight I am carrying right now is not only unflattering, but it makes me wobble like a penguin.

I'm not sure what's worse: feeling like a running marshmallow, or how easy it was to find a photo of one.

2. I broke down and went to the doctor this morning after noticing the eczema on my hands from the weekend was getting worse yesterday. Verdict is in, eczema/dermatitis with unknown cause. I have really sensitive skin so I use perfume and dye free for most things, so finding this cause is going to be fun. Treatment: topical and oral steroids for 2 weeks (read: I will have man-hands in 14 days). Oh..and I have to sleep with white cotton gloves on over the topical steroid...I assume I will be practicing my MJ "Thriller" dance in my sleep for the next 2 weeks, we will count that as cross training.

3. Due to #2, my dermatologist is having me do allergy testing. I have always had super sensitive skin and my constant itchiness is concerning. So in July I will undergo a week long process of patch testing. I go in Monday they put 30+ patches on my back. I can't shower OR sweat for 48 hours ("you just need to sit still and relax in cool climate for 2 days"...clearly my doctor doesn't know me, or took an extra dose of crack this morning). I go back to the office Wednesday and Friday for them to read the results. Wanna know the real fun part (besides the no shower or sweat thing), I get to pay a $40 copay each visit.

4. Part of my current training involves more strength training, which I know will be good for me. Unfortunately with my current situation, I was told not to use weights for a while (weights in hand, makes hands sweat more which can make the reaction worse). Good news is I really like doing body-weight exercises so this is a good chance for me to get back into doing them consistently again. I'll definitely do a post of some of my favorites!

5. I've been helping myself get back on track by using MyFitnessPal. I've said before I like to use this roughly one week every 5-6 weeks just to gauge where I am at. Well, that plan is gone like the wind. It worked for me, but now I have different goals. I really need to pay attention to my macro and micro nutrients as well as my net calories each day. This app really helps with that, and I love that you have the mobile version and online. What I have found so far is that I actually need to fuel MORE than I have been for the amount of calories I am burning. 

6. I'm STILL working on my training plan for Wineglass. I've said before I don't do Cookie-Cutter Training plans.... so I am doing lots of research and also looking back at past training to see what is going to work best for me. I'm pretty sure I know what I want to do to get my sub-3:20 goal, but I am exploring all my options.




That's all I got today, nothing fun....just rashes, white gloves and a very bloated body. You know what though, I'm still in a relatively good mood.

Have you ever had an allergic reaction that required doctor visit?

"Thriller" or "Billie Jean"?

What is your favorite body-weight exercise?

Facts Friday

Schedule today will be different than normal, working for a little bit then heading to a local surgical center. J is getting another knee surgery, & I will be there for a few hours then home playing 'nurse Laura' for the rest of the evening! :)

[Basically an excuse to sit in bed with him and watch movies and write down all of the funny things he says while on pain killers... ( I could write a book on the things he said last time!)]

So instead of a 'typical' post, I decided to go with something different, a whole bunch of random facts....enjoy!

DAYS UNTIL......

2 Days until next race 

3-10 Days until my Sister's baby is born (she's convinced he will be early)

8 Days until I get to run with Hollie and eat fabulous food after

36 Days until my first Duathlon

58 Days until Marathon #5

72 Days until my first Triathlon

114 Days until my first 70.3

198 Days until Marathon #6

395 Days until my first Boston Marathon

533 Days until Our wedding*

Good old Google to the rescue! So excited! 2014 is going to be EPIC.

RANDOM FACTS ABOUT MY LIFE

2=Number of Knee Surgeries my Fiance has had in last 50 days (today being #2)

5=Number of people who live in our house at this moment

1=Number of bathrooms in our house(See above statement...yes I'm serious)

3=Average number of chocolate milk glasses I drink I week

4=Average number of PB&J sammies I eat a week

13= Number of times I have checked the weather for Sunday's 30k between last night and this morning

23=Age I was when I ran my first Marathon

4= Number of tries it took me to BQ (based on new standards)

27=Age I will be when we tie the knot (My birthday is 2 days before the wedding!)

3= Typical number of espresso shots I have each day

3= Number of total nephews I will have come June (they're all getting spoiled!)

7= Number of things on my to-do list right now

 3 RANDOM MARATHON FACTS (Reference)

*In 2012 42% of all marathon finishers were female

*In 2011 there was an estimated 518,000 marathon finishers (highest ever)

*In 2012 the Chicago Marathon had the highest number of finishers out of any marathon that year(world-wide)

RANDOM FITNESS FACTS

*Running places up to seven times your body weight in pressure onto your feet. (Justification for expensive supportive shoes...)

* On average, 1 pound of muscle burns 9 calories/day where as 1 pound of fat burns only 2 calories/day. (reasons to be fit....)

*For every minute you spend walking, you extend your life by 1-3 minutes (get moving!)

*Underwater swimming is the only time you should hold your breath while exercising! (I forget this when I lift weights sometimes)

*Regular exercise is linked to better sex, because it can improve body image, energy, self-esteem and overall fitness ( just saying...)

*It only takes 100 too many calories a day to gain 10 pounds/year. (That's not that much...at all...watch what you eat!)

RANDOM HEALTH FACTS (Reference)

*Temperature can affect appetite. A cold person is more likely to eat more food  (Mother Nature, you're a bitch. Winter be gone!)

*Americans collectively consume approximately 900 billion calories each day (That's a lot, like a real lot)

* 2/3 of American's are overweight (We hear this a lot, but not nearly enough..)

*Eggs contain the highest quality protein (good thing I love omelettes)

RANDOM FACTS ABOUT GOOGLE (the all knowing machine) (Reference)

*Google was first incorporated as a private company on September 4, 1998 (that's my birthday!)

*In Feb 2002, Klingon became one of Google’s 72 language interfaces (Seriously??)

*In January 2003, the American Dialect Society voted the word “Google” as the “most useful” Word of the Year for 2002 (I think I say Google at least 10 times a day, if not more)

*“Google knows more about you than your mother.” (so true...)

*The first Google storage was made from Legos. Google needed an expandable and cheap way to house 10 4GB hard drives (as a Lego Lover, this made me proud)

*Google offers full-on gourmet meals three times a day for its employees. Free food is so tempting that Googlers risk the “Google 15” weight gain, which is similar to the “Freshman 15.” (eek, don't let me work there!)

RANDOM FACTS ABOUT WEDDINGS (just because...) (Reference)

*Early Roman brides carried a bunch of herbs, such as garlic and rosemary, under their veils to symbolize fidelity and fertility and to ward off evil. These herbs served as a precursor to the modern bridal bouquet.(Guess I better put some basil in my Bouquet)

*Wedding rings are often placed on the third finger of the left hand because ancient Egyptians believed the vein in that hand (which the Romans called the “vein of love”) ran directly to the heart (aweeeee)

*Nearly all cultures have showered the wedding couple with symbolic food. For example, the French throw wheat, Sicilians throw wheat bread and salt, and the English throw pieces of cake. Early Romans or Greeks threw nuts, dates, and seed-bearing plants. Bulgarians have thrown figs (glad I am not English or Bulgarian...oww my eye! oh that was just a fig)

*Queen Victoria’s wedding cake was three yards wide and weighed 300 pounds (mmmm cake.)

*Because eyebrows are considered intensely alluring in the Orient, historically the bride’s eyebrows were shaved entirely, rendering her powerless to attract a man (All I can think of is Tierra on The Bachelor..."I can't control my eyebrows!" ohhhh the drama!)

Some of these may have been helpful

Some of these may have been useless 

But I hope some were at least entertaining!

Have a great weekend! :)

What are some random facts about you, your life or anything in general that you know??