Monday Funday!

I could have called today Monday Not-So-Funday with all the work that fell into my lap... BUT that would not be in the spirit of Monday Funday!  So here it is folks: What could possibly make me so happy on a Monday?

How about a little private plane ride to Montauk for lunch?!?  Oh yes, people, I got to act like a Million Air...

...and I loved every second of it!  Well, maybe not every second, because I apparently don't like it when small planes make sharp turns.

like this... 

or this

But despite the sweat dripping down my face after the turning - I had a blast.  Enjoy the photos!

Pilot and Co-Pilot Simon 

passenger ME

Why hello Long Island!

Montauk - the inlet where we swam for the MightyMan Tri

Montauk Lighthouse

Landing in Montauk on a tiny runway

Montauk for lunch? Sure thing!

Leaving MTK - the building is where we had lunch

pretty shot of Long Island

NYC skyline in the distance

The plane!

Very cool and streamlined

HAPPY MONDAY!

What am I up to in 2012?

Since the Age Group National debacle I had some decisions to make regarding my 2012 race schedule. Did I want to add a couple more Olympic Tri's to try and qualify?  Did I want to say "screw you nats" and do more 70.3's?  I struggled with this during my blog absence in January.

I finally had a nice long chat with Coach about what was going on inside my head and where my motivation was.  We both came to the conclusion that I should go back to my triathlon roots.  So what does that mean?

I started out doing tri's because I've always been an athlete.  I played soccer, basketball, softball and most importantly field hockey all throughout my childhood.  I captained my High School field hockey team.  I played hockey in college and excelled until injury took me out of the game.  After college, I started running again and played club hockey.  But triathlon was a completely new challenge for me.  I did my first tri in 2005 and as they say, the rest was history.

Being a triathlete keeps my uber-competitive spirit engaged, keeps me fit, sane and is a nice break from my 'real' tv job.  When my friends started racing tri's as well it was even better.  I didn't care how fast I was.  I wanted to improve, sure, but biking in X amount of time or running an X pace wasn't of any concern. 

As I've progressed I've become more in tune with getting fitter and faster.  I invested in a Coach, got the coolest tri bike around, took on an Ironman and now?  I'm going back to racing certain races because they sound like fun.  NOT because I could potentially qualify for Age Group Nationals.  My goals are still to improve my times and put out a 100% effort in each race and if I qualify then awesome.  If I don't, then it's cool.  You never know what kind of competition will show up on race day.  There could be girls who can smash the run with 6:30 min miles and would blow me out of age group contention by a long shot.  I can't control that.  What I can control is my training, my consistency and my attitude.

So no more whining about not making nats. I actually stopped whining about it weeks and weeks ago but was just to busy not whining to write about it :)

So here's an updated look at my Race List.  The first half of my season is packed and I like it that way!  I'm racing with friends and am psyched to clear the tri cobwebs off with the TriRock Sprint and Harryman Olympic.  Rev3 Quassy is an awesome race and that will be my A goal of the early season.  My late season goal is still on par with the whole "Smash 4 Hours or Bust" plan for the Philadelphia Marathon. 

As you can see there's a big gap between June and September.  I'm gonna see how I feel after Quassy before I sign up for another 70.3.  I may want to add either Timberman or the new National Harbor in DC to my plan... or I have a couple of fun sounding olympics on my radar.  So stay tuned!

March 25th - Central Park Duathlon
April 15th - More Half Marathon
May 5th - TriRock NY Sprint
May 19th - Harryman Olympic
June 3rd - Rev3 Quassy
September 30th - MightyMan Olympic
November 18th - Philadelphia Marathon

Hope everyone had a great weekend of training!

Monday Funday - President's Day Edition!

You would think that since I'm the lone 1% in working on Prez Day, I would want to skip the "Monday Funday" post.  Right? I mean, what's so fun about a Monday that I have to work and no one else does??

Well, peeps, here's your answer!! 

This past fall, I did some extensive research about race wheels.  My biking had improved so much this past year and I felt like it was the right time, fitness wise, to invest in race wheels.  I'm a believer in tuning up the engine before dropping dough on expensive speedy accessories.  So after months of research, I knew I wanted a pair of HED Jet 6's.  They fit my budget and had great reviews.  Plus Chrissie Wellington uses them and if they're good for the World Champ, they're good for me!

Back in December, I found my dream pair of wheels on sale for a "no freakin way can I pass this up" discount.  I hit purchase and three days later my babies arrived!  With all the craziness around Christmas and some events in January, the gorgeous wheels didn't make it on my bike until this past week!

Here's their public unveiling!

I took this picture on Saturday as I was planning to head out for my long ride in the unusually gorgeous Feb weather.  Well, that dream was sort of shattered when I realized that my rear brakes were not working properly!  I rode up the to park, saw how crowded it was, and promptly turned around to head home.  It was way too dangerous to ride basically without rear brakes!

So I did the next best thing...

I put on my pink running gear and went for my run instead! Poor Roo had to sit out this one, but yesterday I took her to the shop to get fixed and 30 minutes later, she's good as new!

I cannot wait to really test these wheels out.  I'm sure they will not disappoint!

Happy Monday Funday, whether you're stuck at work, or relaxing at home!

Monday Funday!

I've decided to kick off my return to blogging with a new, nifty little feature.  Most people despise Mondays.  Hate them.  Mondays symbolize the hum drum beginning of a boring new work week... an early alarm wake up... and the drudgery of commuting in the fabulous chaotic subway system. 

Sure, I feel that way too.  BUT - I also think Monday is the beginning of a brand spankin' new week! 

Missed a few workouts last week?  Start fresh on Monday!
Had a bit of a boozy weekend?  Start sober on Monday!
Had an amazing weekend that you don't want to end?  Keep it going with Monday Funday!

I think people could use a pick me up, including myself, so I'm offically proclaiming Monday as "MONDAY FUNDAY!"

I'll be posting a photo of something that makes me smile, motivates me or something that I just think is funny.  It may be triathlon related - but it may not be.

The first edition of Monday Funday is not triathlon related... but maybe there's a hidden meaning in there somewhere....

Nothing says Monday Funday like Olive & Penny in a box!! 

I mean, if you don't say 'aw' at this photo, you do not have a soul.  Seriously!  This photo makes me smile and makes me feel very lucky to have a job that I can bring my dog to work with me! (the white fluffy one is mine)

HAPPY MONDAY FUNDAY EVERYONE!