The Alarm Clock Works - January 8, 2009

I just realized that for the last three days, I've posted the date as 2008 instead of 2009.  There's been times where I've actually forgotten how old I am too.  And if I shampoo'd my hair while in the shower...(did I already do that???).  Or my favorite...I arrive at work in my car only to realize that I didn't pay attention to anything while driving and then I wonder, "How did I not crash?"

Anyway, I did remember to set the alarm clock last night and I found out this morning that it still works (dang that thing was loud).  Up and at 'em...Like I said, "Wagener, I'm coming for you!!!"

 

Hey look, it's Joe Reger from www.joereger.com !!!  Joe bailed me out of a timing pickle with one of my other companies that I own with my wife and was willing to drive to Gwinnett to hand deliver some needed goodies!  Thanks JOE!  More on that company in future posts as it relates to the triathlon industry.

Only thing notable from the lunch was when I asked Reger if he would like to come over next weekend for the UFC pay-per-view and he said, "Uh, I'll let you know.  I'm supposed to be doing a big week of training in Asheville, NC."  WHAT THE!?!?!  Big training in January!  Who approved that my friend???  Apparently Joe isn't fooling around in 2009 (Good thing I'm not racing him this year...)

I wish I had the energy to ride the indoor bike while watching some football tonight for the college championship game.  I normally don't watch football but when I do I still try to stay productive by either reading, working on the computer or training while watching TV.  I'm finding myself not really feeling like changing clothes and getting sweaty at 8:00pm tonight.  Maybe I'll just read and watch in the background.  I don't really have an interest in either teams and couldn't name a single player on either squad.  I mean let's face it, it's not like it's a UFC match...

My mom sent me an article from the local paper back in Niagara Falls where they officially awarded UFC newly crowned light heavyweight champion and Niagara Falls resident Sugar Rashad Evans the keys to the city!  Homeboy wins the UFC title.  How cool is that?  Thanks for the article mumsy.  Way to look out for your favorite child.  There's six kids in our family but I know I'm the favorite :)

I did 6 miles on the treadmill this morning rather than what I was supposed to do (5 miles).  I just felt good and kept going while watching the morning news.  One extra mile shouldn't hurt me too bad.  I'm coming to get you Wagener!  Now that I don't have Reger to torment this year, I think Wagener will take his place... I need someone to play the role of the competition.  Unfortunately I keep making the mistake of picking on guys who are not only younger than me, but better athletes.  One thing is for sure, Wagener is a great amateur runner and is a sub 3:00 hour marathoner.  So, he's in a different league but it's motivating to try and keep pace with somebody who is better and more experienced.  It helps me raise my game and is an inspiration.

By the numbers;

• 181.2 - today's weight (January 1, 2009 weight was 184.2)  Goal weight for 10/25/09 is 165.

• 204 - Days until Ironman Lake Placid

• 289 - Days until the Marine Corp Marathon

• 8 - Total Days Trained in 2009

• 6.00 - Miles run today

• 46.0 - Miles run in 2009

Comments

[Jim]

When you say Wagener are you referring to Jim or Christina? :-)

Friendly competition is always good, especially if you need a little push to get out the door.

This morning I did my first ever fartlek run. For those not familiar, it was a 20 minute interval embedded within my 8 mile run. Fartlek is Swedish for speed play. Basically it is 20 minutes of playing around with different speeds at diffent lengths. I did not time any intervals, rather I just picked a point off in the distance (some far away (1/2 mile?) and some as close as 50 yards) and ran to that point at whatever speed I thought was appropriate, the followed it up with a short recovery jog before starting the next impromptu interval.

Like Paul, I need structure in my workouts. I think I was more out of my comfort zone by running unstructured intervals rather than the intervals themselves. Anyway, 20 minutes went by really fast. It was also snowing which made it that much more enjoyable.

[christina Wagener]

Jim, I think he means you... but I also got my workout in this morning on a snowy walk with my friend Adair and her dog Einstein .... and then I shoveled the sidewalks, based on todays snow all of my study breaks will be about shoveling today.

Structured workouts are good, but I like the goals... I like knowing that my next race is the shamrock shuffle and that I am counting down until it gets here.... I also like that I am lighter and trying to keep the scale moving in that direction..... Keeps me on the up and up!

[Sarah]

I haven't forgotten to put my order in, I'm just totally poor at the moment. No worries though, sometime soon!