Monday, January 31, 2011

Finally a nice weekend to train outside!

I hope all of you had a great weekend!

I did get that Friday run in at Chastain Park so I made up for a day I lost.  Saturday I kinda skipped my workout, but I was out of town for the weekend, I made an excuse :)  Sunday I broke in my new Asics GT-2150's in Raleigh on the Westside near NC State's campus.  It was a perfect day for running, and so was Saturday, I am kinda pissed I skipped that one.  It got up to around 60 degrees by the time I ran (high of the day was 68 degrees).  Slight breeze, not too many people out and about yet, really good run.  I will post some sort of shoe report when I get a few more miles under my belt with these shoes, however, so far so good. 

Weather is supposed to be warmer on average this week than the past few weeks, but more cruddy weather till this weekend (subject to change - please?)  It makes me kinda with that I could get this weather the last 3 weeks of October so that I will be prepared weather-wise for IMFL. 

I got to finally read one of my triathlete magazine issues over the weekend.  I got through most of it, and I finally gave up on trying to read the December and November issues because I just don't have the time to catch up.  Maybe some other time perhaps, but not any time soon.  I was really interested in three articles, I hope maybe some of you like these as well.  First was the crossfit article.  One of my blogging buddies, Sarah has been doing crossift now for a period of time, and she loves it.  I also tried out boot camp which is based off of cross-fit, and it is pretty intense.  Keeps me interested, just don't have the extra money to do it.

The second article was about being "that guy" at the master's swim class.  You know, the guy who does everything wrong?  Actually some of the stuff were stereotypical examples of people being A-holes, I was just more concerned about not making rookie mistakes.  I am searching for a Master's swim class. I have not found one yet because I am searching for convenience with regards to how close it is to my house and job.  If anyone has some good ideas in the Atlanta area please let me know.

The final article that I enjoyed was the article about training in sickness and in health.  I have had some minor health issues since the beginning of the year (non-stop) which has never happened to be before in my life (that I can remember).  Having some good common sense ideas on how to tackle your training issues with regard to sickness helps me out a bunch and also helps to tweak my training schedule so I don't prolong or worsen my illness.

That's all I got for now.  Probably won't hear from me till at least Wed/Thu because of grad school this week.  Hope you guys enjoy your Monday.  Have a great start to your week!

Murtha...

Friday, January 28, 2011

The Friday Review...

Hi Everyone,

    Hope all of your training and everything else going on in your life is great.  I have decided that I am going to make my Fridays the end of my blogging and training weeks.  I thought this a good idea for two reasons.  One, my day off usually is Friday for many reasons, and two, I treat my Saturday's and Sunday's like the beginning of my work week, so I figured having Friday as a review/last day of the week would work out well.

     I ran Sun/Mon/Tue and it was friggin cold every night, and it rained on Tuesday night, so that is another one in the IM bank for me.  IM Florida was damn cold this past year, and while things may change for this coming year's event, I want to have every miserable training experience imaginable so that when race day comes, I am either prepared or pleasently suprised.  Wedesday night I opted not to workout in favor of cramming for my exam on Thu night.  I got a bit of food poisoning from Willy's Wed night so I stayed at home pretty much all day Thursday except to take my exam, and then went straight home.  I talked to one of my classmates this morning, and she told me that class was really hard after the exam.  I don't know if that is a product of having your brain fried with an exam and then more class or just the material was hard, however, not something to look forward to. 

     I plan on running after work today to try and make up for wed/thu.  I know you cannot make up days, however, I can work out on my day off to make up for a missed workout during my training week.  About 8 weeks and change till the Publix Georgia Half Marthon, and Wes is already talking smack about whipping my butt on the course.  He actually may very well do so, but I will accept his challenge nonetheless.  It's on like Donkey Kong!!!

     I will be up in Raleigh this weekend and I am taking the running shoes with me.  The weather is supposed to be great, and I don't wanna miss out on that.  Weather has been too crappy lately, although I have been a good sport and participated in it anyways.  I need to break in my new pair of shoes I got for Christmas, ASICS GT-2150.  I will have some sort of shoe review after I use them for a week or two.

Get out there and have a good time this weekend, whatever you do!

Murtha...

Monday, January 24, 2011

One Step Forward, Two Steps Back

Hi Everyone!  Happy Monday.

I hope that everyone is enjoying their new year.  I know I have, for the most part.  The holidays were great and I got to see all of my family at the same time for the first time in 3 and a half years.  Gets a bit harder when you are spread out all over the US.  Just after New Year's I came down with a really bad case of sinusitis, and it is still holding on just a bit, even after taking Levaquin for a week straight.  Ever since I had my acute episode in college, it seems it hits me once a year, and it is getting harder and harder to shake each time.  That coupled with the Snowpocalypse in Atlanta two weeks ago, and my training took a serious punch to the gut.

Fortunately my "A" race is in November so I am not too worried about that, however, I am participating in the Publix Georiga Half Marathon at the end of March, so I need to get up to speed with that.  Otherwise besides getting back into training, I have just been working and schooling.  I graduate in August, and then I have to take the CPA exam.  Woohoo!  More money to shell out and testing!

Doctor also said I have gained quite a bit of weight. Great, so now I am a fat ass.  Hopefully my training will help me to alleviate that.  Most of my training before the holidays and this past week has been run focused due to the immediate half marathon coming up.

Family definitely came through for the holidays though.  Patsy got me a new Xterra Wetsuit, parents got me the new Asics GT-2150's, and the family got me about $150 in All3Sports gift certificates that are burning a hole in my pocket.  Need to do some upgrades to my bike.....

Lots of running coming up this week, need to get my 2011 schedule on the site and do some other various upgrades to the site.  Technology changes so fast and if you don't keep up then your blog ends up without all the cool new blog gadgets that one NEEDS ;)  However, posting does take precedence. 

Hope all of you have a great week in general and with your training.  Keep it up!

Murtha...