I ain't gonna lie....

2011 was a good year. Not my best, but a good solid year. It was also a tough year filled with lots of hurt and pains (both physically and emotionally), but a few highlights sprinkled in here and there made it a successful year.

I learned a lot about myself and what I want and where I want to go with my life.

I finally hit a wall and realized that I can't avoid that balance of real life vs triathlon life. There is a needed separation between the two, and real life needs to take first chair. Triathlon is just a hobby, after all. (albeit a time consuming one!)

If you are unhappy, first figure out why, then change things so that you are happy!

If there is something that you want, GO GET IT!!!

I finally realized who "my people" are. If you are a beer drinking runner/swimmer/cyclist/triathlete dork who doesn't mind staring at graphs and nerding out over zombies, welcome to my club! (I am currently taking applications for membership....)

I realized that yes, you can spend $22,000 a year on Ironman and triathlon. I did not spend anywhere close to this much, but I realized that it is totally possible.

My pride has been my biggest downfall. My knee injury was prolonged due to my hubris and lack of respect of listening to others. I also wish I had a crystal ball.

Saddle sores suck, and yes, they do prevent you from riding at your potential.

ALWAYS wear sunscreen between the hours of 10AM and 4PM, even if it is pouring rain for 90 mins and even if there is a 5% chance that it will become bright and sunny for the next 4.5 hours. It happened, because there was a 5% chance.

Eating 11 Gu's in one day IS possible. I don't recommend it.

There is no one magic food. There is no one way to train. EVERYONE is different and has different needs/goals.

Going out of your comfort zone sucks, but in the end it bears fruit and you will learn something about yourself that you never knew you were capable of.

If you have a coach, listen to him/her! This is why you have a coach!

If I thought that I worked hard this past season, this next season is gonna make 2011 look like cake!

Don't always expect success 100% of the time.

I find it funny that you figure out how to do something properly immediately after you completely fail at it the first time. Learn from your mistakes, anyone? Unfortunately sometimes it takes 13 months before you can apply that learned mistake!

Avocado and red wine and dark chocolate are some of the best things on earth.

Meeting other bloggers is awesome. Nuff said.

I am proud to say that I have actual friends spread out all across the country, and a lot of them I have met through the internet. Creepy? Fortunately none of you are! (so far....) :)


Finally, I really just want to PR every single distance I attempt in 2012!

Wishing you a happy and fruitful and uber successful 2012!!!!

Random Friday Facts

Two guys standing next to each other in the bathroom should NEVER EVER talk to one another. It can wait! However, if the other is either an art director or THE director of the film, you HAVE to talk. Sigh.... (and yes, it's still awkward)

Steak + Avocado = YUM

The first time I ordered a Caesar Salad I asked if I could get Thousand Islands dressing on it.

For a time, I HATED Caesar Salad.

Now I LOVE LOVE LOVE Caesar Salad......as long as it doesn't taste "burnt."

I really hate responsible people. Why? They make all of us irresponsible people look bad.

I don't drink coffee in the morning. Unless its on a weekend morning and I am gorging my face with pancakes, bacon, and eggs.

I don't drink coffee in the morning because my AM workout usually wakes me up!

I only drink coffee with copious amounts of sugar (in the raw!) and heavy cream.

Coffee is a dessert on my personal menu.

Black coffee? BLECH!

I was once given hot chocolate in the form of chocolate nibs the size of almonds.

I ate all of the nibs, one at a time, paired with an almond.

I am a strange person when it comes to food, in case you didn't already know.

• Exhibit A: I would fly to Savannah, GA, eat a slice of Vinnie Van Go Go's Tomato Basil and Feta, then fly home
• Exhibit B: I would fly to Chicago, eat an entire pie of Lou Malnati's Deep Dish Classic, and fly home
• Exhibit C: I would fly to New Orleans, eat an entire plate of Beignet's from Cafe Du Monde, get powdered sugar all over me, and fly home

Does it bother you when someone says, "Oh, I LOVE food!" ?!?!

Doesn't this person say it like, "OH! I just reinvented the wheel!"....like they are the first person to ever come to the realization that they LOVE food more than the next person?

That being said....name one person you know who HATES food?!?

I hate biting into a soft apple, or an apple with skin that cuts your gums.

I can only eat an apple now if I have peanut butter to eat it with

I am off my "made at home" all natural peanut butter kick and am back onto the super processed "palm oil added" peanut butter

I can't stop eating citrus. It is SO GOOD this season!

Yesterday was Dec 22nd. The WINTER solstice and shortest day of the year. It also hit 54 degrees. I ran outside in shorts in the morning then went out for an almost 20 miler @ lunch. Isn't that GREAT?!?!

Everytime I go to Target, EVERY TIME, there is some kid SCREAMING BLOODY MURDER while mom and dad are completely oblivious. Target should be renamed to be 'ABC'.......Audible Birth Control.

I'm not gonna lie, I have been in a bit of a blogging funk for oh, the past 3 months. If I haven't commented on your blog as often, don't take it personally! Work has been El Nutso and keeping up outside of work has been even more El Nutso. I am REALLY looking forward to the New Year when everything can.just.calm.the.F.down.

That being said, wishing you have a VERY HAPPY Chrismahnakwanafestivus!

Wordless Wednesday: Chicago Edition

Visited my sister last weekend in Chicago! Awesome trip and I was even able to sneak in a 12 mile run along the lake. Truly one of the best runs I have ever done. Will be visiting again! Thanks Sis for having me!

2012 Race Schedule

Here it is! My 2012 Race Schedule:

NYRR Joe Kleinerman 10K 1/7
NYRR Manhattan Half 1/21
NYRR Gridiron Classic 4 miler 2/5
National Half 3/17 (or whatever it is now called?)
MonticelloMan Half (70.3 distance) 5/6
Tri Ridgefield Sprint 6/3
Ironman Mont Tremblant 70.3 6/24
Sobe Mossman Sprint 7/15
Ironman Mont Tremblant 140.6 8/19

It is going to be a progressive race season much like my 2009 & 2010 campaigns where I started out the winter and early spring with running races, then progressing into triathlon season, ultimately ending with the grandaddy of the season, Mont Tremblant. It is going to be a fun season of invading Canada twice, and! what is really cool is that I will be doing a race ON the Ironman course, just only half of it 8 weeks out from the full distance! How cool/awesome/spectacular/rad is that?!?!

I am still on the lookout (first invite wins!) for an April (either sprint/olympic tri or running) race.  Not too worried about that right now, but its looking like my triathlon season opener will be down in Virginia this year in early May (unless I get reserved for an April race). Even though it is not a race, I will again be attending my coach's June Lake Placid camp. Hello volume and beer!

Here is to a busy 2012!!!

What about you? Have you shored up your 2012 schedule yet? Any big races? New distances?

(random) Wordless Wednesday

This is what finally got me from Fort Meyers to Key West after a LONG day of travel

Age Grouping UP!: 29 going on 30-34

Thank you USAT for the wonderful gift of giving me 5 new birthday presents ages today!

Happy 29th
Happy 30th
Happy 31st
Happy 32nd
Happy 33rd
Happy 34th!

To me!!!

This is actually the first time I am age grouping up. Been battling it out in the 25-29 age group my entire triathlon "career", not its time to show all of those old guys how its done! ;)

Happy 29th, uh, I mean 30th-34th birthday to me!!!

Kidnapped: Tri Key West Spectator Report

From the Associated Press

A 28 year old White Plains man was abducted at gun point last Friday morning and flown thousands of miles south to a remote island in the Florida Keys where he was held captive for nearly four days until a ransom request was met.

Monday evening Jon Campbell was found unconscious in a remote regional airport in Allentown, PA and quickly transported to the Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla, NY. After an interview with local police detectives in Westchester County, police now have an idea of why Mr. Campbell was targeted and why he was brought to such a remote location.

The suspects are currently on the loose and are believed to be a gang of triathletes and runners abducting those in possession of a new street drug called "Peanut Butter Gu". Police Detective Chris McCormack was quoted as saying, "This new drug is found to greatly enhance one's abilities to compete in a succession of sporting events, such as going from a swim to a bike ride to running a marathon run distance of about 3 or 6 miles. It appears to be the new golf."

A list of suspects was made after Mr. Campbell's interview.

They include mostly DC area folks. A reward has been posted for any of the followings eventual capture and arrest, but unfortunately no last names are known. This is the info Campbell provided:

"Katie"

Did the bike portion of one of two relay teams. Her face has never been seen. She is only known by her backside. Despite thinking she had a poor bike split, she wound up with one of the faster female bike splits of the day and propelling her team into first place in its division.

"Thom"

Married to Katie. He ran and has recently evaded capture at the Philadelphia marathon on charges of literary plagarism. This was his first run since the marathon. Even with a bright orange running shirt, authorities still can't catch this man.

"Beth"

She is known as the "planner" and "brains" behind this troup of criminals. She is known for her "great ideas" and "minimus" training plans. Beth swam and finished with the 6th fastest female swim of the day. She also did NOT use a wetsuit. Her swim set her relay team up for a great win and finish.

"Amy"

Amy was the only member of this crime team to not relay. She did the sprint all by herself. She still can't fool anyone as upon entering the run, her true identity was revealed when a possible bounty hunter yelled, "Wow! There goes a REAL runner!" She did, in the end, fool everyone by taking 2nd place in her age group.

"Lauren"

Also known as the "doctor" and "healer" of the group, her PT background keeps these kidnappers and theives in tip top condition fixing "broken asses" and "disconnected hamstrings". She did the swim for one of the relay teams, also forgoing the wetsuit,

"Liz"

Liz ran the anchor leg of the first relay team, which ended up taking first place in the division. With the cops hot on her trail, she literally burned them up in her red CAR top!

"Wes"

This Rock n Roll Criminal might distract you with his charming music ways, but he can still out bike you! The authorities hope to arrest him at his next show, Jan 10th in Arlington, VA. Hopefully this is enough info to bust him?

Be on the lookout for beer drinking people bragging about margarita trophy's.

Chances are they are this is the group of fast mastermining kidnappers and extortionists.

Finally, another man, who didn't race, and is simply known as "The Spectator" is believed to be the group's "Bag Man" who transported supplies and gave moral support.

Mr. Campbell is still in the hospital undergoing a possible liver transplant and second degree burns from sun exposure. He was quoted as saying that he was "forced to lay in a hammock for hours on end while drinking sweet tropical drinks."

The staff at the associated press wish Mr. Campbell a speedy recovery :)

Mystery Friday: Where Am I?

Jeff, you don't know! ;)

Three Things Thursday: PEANUT BUTTER GU!!!!!

Am I going to regret posting this?

#1:

#2:

Someone should auto tune this! haha!

#3:

Non Wordless Wednesday:

I'm Thankfull For.........YOU!

Hope everyone had a GREAT Thanksgiving!

This is the time of year when the big transition from one season shifts to the next. Everyone is wrapping up their fall marathons, some of us are kicking injuries, and our minds are already scrambling for "next year!" We want to continue to train, but at the same time we just want to think about training hard while instead eating and drinking even harder. Hey! Most of you just ran a 5K or 5M Turkey Trot Marathon ;)

But before I continue to look into my crystal ball of 2012, I first want to look back at this season and be thankful for what occurred in 2011.

Mostly, I am thankful for YOU! I have been blogging for over 4 years now and I have connected and met MORE fellow triathlon and runner bloggers in the past 11 months than I have in the past 4 years COMBINED. AND! Its been wonderful :)

You read someone's blog, stalk follow them, then find them on twitter, then you become facebook friends, then somehow you wind up at the same race and meeting in person! What went from a friendly "Nice job! Congrats on that PR! Well deserved! You F______ rock!" comment suddenly turns into a post race "Nice job! Congrats on that PR! Well deserved! You F______ rock!"  handshake or hug and a life long friendship has been formed.

I am thankful for the twitter battles between Texas and everyone else.

I am thankful that we actually formed a League of Extraordinary Tri Geeks.

I am thankful that we then matched everyone up as Star Wars characters

I am thankful that we can all be total nerds and appreciate the elbow jabbing we give each other

I am thankful that a LOT of us did our first Ironman all in the same year and selflessly shared our mistakes and successes with each other. (hint: bring pepto and tums pills with you on the run)

I am thankful that EVERYONE had a great season and is continuing upwards and onwards next season

I am thankful that I am about to invade Canada next season

I am thankful that I can bake one thing without screwing it up. (note: I can make amazing Filet Mignon, but ask me to bake a pie? HA! Ur funny!)

I am thankful to have a coach that not only pushes me, but understands that Triathlon should NOT rule your life. I still can't believe I swam, biked, and ran that much that one weekend....

I am thankful for a new group of friends

Finally, I am thankful for the support of family and friends and my dog, Aachen

What are you thankful for this holiday season?

Happy Chrismahanakwanza-festivus!

El Bandito de Philadelphia

When in DC a few weekends ago I got invited down to spectate the Philadelphia Half and Full Marathons. Easy, right? Just stand there, ring some cowbells and scream as loud as you can for this guy and this girl.

Well, that plan changed, and changed again, and then changed again, and before I knew it, I was suddenly pace rabbit #2 bringing this girl across the finish line for the half marathon!

Considering my recent injury (which is still on the mend), it was decided that I run the last 6.55 miles and be the "new" energy. This was a good compromise as running 13.1 prolly would NOT be the best idea right now.

Saturday I drove down, and immediately met up with Beth, Allison, Katie, and Thom at the expo. Then bumped into Lauren a bit later. Priority #1: Find Peanut Butter Gu. Of course no one had it, and NOBODY even knew what we were talking about. Really people, REALLY?!? You should all be more like us!

The Marathoners

However, we did find mini wrappers of Planter's smooth peanut butter. I may or may not have eaten one of these with a chocolate Gu all at the same time. So good!

Speaking of food, I may or may not have brought down WAY too many cookies! I believe I may have started a cookie drug trade between NYC and DC. Hopefully no wars break out.

This is only half of what was made.

Sunday was a way too early wake up call for the race, but we found primo parking in a lot we think was legal? I did get a tongue lashing for not giving them my car key. Oops! Funny how far you can get with playing dumb sometimes ;)

Ok, now for the race itself. I saw everyone off for the start, then dropped everyone's clothes off at the car, then watched the elites FLY by. So fast!

After a quick 15 min warmup, I awaited Beth and Katie @ roughly mile 7.

Katie was just joking.....about her legs. She still hates us. ;)

From here till the finish, we just provided Katie with some serious pace booty until we got her to the finish. Katie finished with an 8 min PR! Go Katie!!!

I liked the Philly course. Other than a few hills, I think it is a fast fast course that can yield a serious PR for this distance.

But the day wasn't over yet! We now awaited the marathoners to finish. While waiting around the mile 26 marker, we met up with Lauren and Emily, who I haven't seen since the run course of Lake Placid back in July. Lauren brought bagels and I was bonking. Thank God for those bagels Lauren! Also, please stop by Lauren's blog and give her some love and encouragement as she is tackling her first Ironman this coming weekend down in Cozumel!

Thanks Emily for the picture!

Finally, with cowbells in hand, Allison and Thom came flying through. Thom finished his first Marathon while Allison shaved off 40, yes 40!, minutes off of her Marathon PR! Holy crap and way to go Allison!

MOST awesome-est race shirt EVAR!

What a weekend! Had a great time with DC friends in Philly and after getting home, I "maximized my potential" by not moving from the couch watching football and zombies for the remainder of the night.

Till next time Philly!

Random Friday Facts

I get violent if I am in the grocery store for longer than I need to be

I have a "note" app on my phone that I make my grocery lists. I use the checkist feature. I get satisfaction in having a completely crossed off list.

I swear I am not OCD!

I may have just totally lied ;)

I may have made my Pumpkin Chocolate Chip cookies for four weekends in a row.

There is nothing wrong with that. AT. ALL.

Does this commercial make you want to chop this dude's balls off?

I don't think he has any, because she owns them now.

I REALLY hate McDonald's commercials!

Two crispy chicken snack wraps with honey mustard and a chocolate milk shake is SO FUCKING GOOD!

^^^from McDonald's, of course

A goal is going to be achieved this weekend. Even if I have to carry all 136 pounds of it at a sub 7 pace!!! RAWRRRRRR!!!!

Whenever I have to split a lane with someone at the pool, I want to give them a stupidity test. Most likely they are stupid and don't understand that THIS IS MY SIDE OF THE FUCKING LANE!

I sometimes wish I knew butterfly...

PEANUT BUTTER GU IS FINALLY FREAKING AVAILABLE!!!!! Hoping to find some at the Expo tomorrow :)

You should do a google search for "peanut butter gu"........can you tell me which web-site comes up? ;)

Don't you hate it when your Garmin is searching for a satellite and the bar gets within a sliver of finding it, then it BOUNCES BACK?!?!?

Leftover asparagus is good for one thing, goat cheese and asparagus omelettes!

I can't eat a salad anymore unless it has bountiful amounts of avocado in it. Not lots, bountiful.

Also, nothing its automatic, its automagic; its not humongous, its ginormous. (TWSS)

Saying the word "totes" to me makes me want to retaliate with nails down a fucking chalkboard. Same with "dec"

I am actually a passive person ;)

That's all I got! Have a great weekend!

Non Wordless Wednesday: Happyness

The Weekend Wrap Up

Another weekend of no sleep. But it was a fun one! I guess I can best describe it as getting things "accomplished?"

Friday night was spent in a seedy dive bar listening to a friend's band play live music. I call them the kings of funk and they are REALLY good! I prolly drank way too much Magic Hat but at least I scored another great bottlecap!

Has the weather this month already made up for all of October and most of September? The past two weekends have been amazing, especially Saturday. I was able to get outside on the bike for two hours. For those of you who know me, I am a creature of habit. Some may think I am a tad insane repeating the same thing over and over again seeking a different outcome. I do this on the bike a lot. Always riding the same course. Well, this time I just decided to start out on the usual route through the mean streets of Greenwich, but then explore roads that I have always wanted to explore. This brought me up a few new hills, including a nice European style switchback. My legs responded as well!

The end of the ride was marked by this:

The last standing tree with all of its leaves on AND in peak color

The rest of Saturday was spent eating hot dogs and car shopping (not for me).

Fortunately I only received one smart ass response (you know who you are! ;) ).

Finally Sunday, race spectating day in Prospect Park in Brooklyn. My Ironman friend Jill was seeking another podium spot and her friend Brie was seeking one as well.

Well, first I ran for an hour around the park for a few laps for my "long" run in anticipation for next weekend. Was it the cool crisp air? Is my knee finally healed? Was I just yearning to run fast again? I don't know, but maybe it is all three? So this happened:

For me right now, this is a HUGE success. I didn't reel like I was pushing it; I just RAN.

Now back to spectating, the race director decided to put on 5 events all at once. Yes, 5! Three difference duathlon distances plus a 5K and 10K run. I can only describe how disorganized this race was by this when one VERY unhappy 10K RUNNER found me on the BIKE course.

Him: "Hey, have you seen anyone else like me with a number out there?"
Me: "Um, I think you are off course!"
Him: "Mother F$%&@#!. Mother F$%&@#! Mother F$%&@#! I know exactly WHICH Mother F$%&@#! I am going to kick his @$$!"

Yeah........

Felt bad for him! But.......I got nothing. Don't you......? Think......? Yeah.....

Anyways, Jill and Brie cleaned up the Duathlon by taking Women's OVERALL #2 and #3. Go Jill and Brie!

And it was also a nice reunion with Jill and I since Lake Placid. Hey Jill! TOMAHAWK! BWAHAHAHAHA!

And finally, running on fumes, I quickly baked up another batch of the Pumpkin Chocolate Chip cookies, and drove to Stamford to watch Zombies get slaughtered.

How was your weekend? Saw lots of you awesome bloggers running long, hitting HUGE milestone PR's and conquering new distances.

Random Friday Facts

DON'T have a conversation with me in the bathroom at work. Ever.

Kraft Mac & Cheese out of the box was my favorite food when I was 5. It was the holy grail. Nothing was better than that. My mom would lace it with Tuna to make it "healthy." One day I might forgive her for that. Love you Mom!

I had Kraft Mac & Cheese outa the box with ketchup and coined hot dogs for dinner last night.

Except I had no hot dogs. I just lied about 33% of my dinner.

My running shoes are RED.

The New England Patriots are my team.

If the New England Patriots are good, I love love LOVE all things football

If the New England Patriots are bad, I couldn't care less about football

I like to watch ESPN news every morning while I stretch and foam roll after I workout

Right now it sickens me to watch ESPN news because all they show is the Penn State football scandal. What is wrong with people?!?!

"The Walking Dead" is the best show on TV right now.

The only show I watch on TV right now is "The Walking Dead"

I can't remember the last time I bought normal clothes

I REALLY need to buy new normal clothes

I can tell you exactly the last time I bought a workout clothing item

Anytime I listen to Mumford & Sons I want to:
A) Get into a bare knuckled boxing match with a guy with a handlebar mustach
B) Drink a pint. Not a beer. A pint.
C) Wish I was Irish?

Say this word RIGHT NOW, "MoooooooooooSTACH -e-oooooooo" (with an Italian accent)

I want to race Texas 70.3 next April.....but I need a private jet to pull that one off.

Flying with a bike sucks

I once asked my swimming instructor when I was five what would happen if lightening struck the sun

I then asked my parents how God got the skin on people

I am not a 100% normal person, if you don't know that already. Those of you who have met me?

I am heading into race spectator slut season. That means I will be spectating everyone else' races this early winter season. Gotta return the favor!

You gotta watch out for parking garage concrete pillars. Sometimes they just like to jump out at you!


Mmmmmmmmm, beer.

I have recently (and finally) developed a taste for IPA. Basically it has to be Magic Hat (especially Hex).

Ask an obvious question, expect an obvious answer ;)

I can't bite and chew on dark chocolate. Its too bitter. I have to let it slowly dissolve until it becomes sweet. THAT is how you eat dark chocolate.

Woah.......today is 11/11/11

I turn 30 on 12/12/12!!! Eeeeks! But! Send in your requests now for invitation. Its gonna be the party of the Century! Something about renting a huge house down in Costa Rica with live in bar tender and chef?

Have a great weekend!

Wordless Wednesday: DC Edition

Edit: These are RED shoes (the flash makes em look pink). But it doesn't matter if they are pink. I am THAT comfortable with myself :)