The Making of an Open Water Swimmer. A great story on the USMS website.
And more amazing performances from the Academy of Country Music's "Girls Night Out":
April 28, 2011
37 Days
Whoa. It just hit me as I paid for the kayak...ONE MONTH (plus a few days) until the swim. EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEK!
The Making of an Open Water Swimmer. A great story on the USMS website.
The Making of an Open Water Swimmer. A great story on the USMS website.
April 26, 2011
40 Days
Hi Friends!
40 days until the big race. On Friday I did my first double practice, one of which included an hour long swim. I averaged about 26 minutes a mile at about a 75% pace. If I factor in waves and currents, I'm looking at about 30 minutes a mile. Therefore, my new goal is to finish the race in about 6.25 hours. I'm finally in the home stretch and am SUPER excited to head down to Florida in just over a month.
On another note, inspiration has been coming to me in many ways recently. CBS just hosted a Country "Girls Night Out" where Carrie Underwood and Vince Gill (two of my favorites) sang "How Great Thou Art" (one of my favorite songs of all time) and it's absolutely bone chilling and inspiring. Have a listen...
40 days until the big race. On Friday I did my first double practice, one of which included an hour long swim. I averaged about 26 minutes a mile at about a 75% pace. If I factor in waves and currents, I'm looking at about 30 minutes a mile. Therefore, my new goal is to finish the race in about 6.25 hours. I'm finally in the home stretch and am SUPER excited to head down to Florida in just over a month.
On another note, inspiration has been coming to me in many ways recently. CBS just hosted a Country "Girls Night Out" where Carrie Underwood and Vince Gill (two of my favorites) sang "How Great Thou Art" (one of my favorite songs of all time) and it's absolutely bone chilling and inspiring. Have a listen...
April 21, 2011
Fuel
Hi Friends!
It's getting closer and closer to race time and kayaker and I have begun to map out my "fuel" breaks along the race course. My goal is to briefly stop every hour to down some fluids and fuel. Since I'll only have a brief moment (hopefully under 30 seconds) to do this, gel packs and water bottles are my options of choice. I hadn't tried gel packs since my teenage swimming days when gatorade first came out with them and in testing I found out they haven't changed much...at least as far as taste is concerned. Yuck.
GU Energy is the brand I'm going with. Their "Roctane Ultra Endurance Energy Gel" has been tested on elite athletes around the world. If it's good enough for them, it's surely good enough for me. What's it made of you ask? Pure power.
It's getting closer and closer to race time and kayaker and I have begun to map out my "fuel" breaks along the race course. My goal is to briefly stop every hour to down some fluids and fuel. Since I'll only have a brief moment (hopefully under 30 seconds) to do this, gel packs and water bottles are my options of choice. I hadn't tried gel packs since my teenage swimming days when gatorade first came out with them and in testing I found out they haven't changed much...at least as far as taste is concerned. Yuck.
GU Energy is the brand I'm going with. Their "Roctane Ultra Endurance Energy Gel" has been tested on elite athletes around the world. If it's good enough for them, it's surely good enough for me. What's it made of you ask? Pure power.
"We start with original GU's superior mix of complex and simple carbohydrates that provide quick and sustained energy, electrolytes for replenishment and caffeine to tap more power and diminish pain.
From there we increase the amount of histidine, an essential amino acid, to act as a buffer and slow the energy-sapping acid build-up in muscles.
From there we increase the amount of histidine, an essential amino acid, to act as a buffer and slow the energy-sapping acid build-up in muscles.
We mix in higher levels of citrates (potassium citrate, sodium citrate, and citric acid) to help speed the conversion of carbohydrates into energy molecules and, like histidine, help mitigate acid build-up.
We also add more of the branched chain amino acids (BCAAs) leucine, valine and isoleucine to serve as another fuel source, aid in recovery and help maintain mental focus and reduce fatigue by limiting the central nervous system's production of serotonin.
Finally, we add a new ingredient, the amino acid complex Ornithine Alpha-Ketoglutarate (OKG) which limits the body's tendency to break down muscle protein tissue during extremely hard training and racing days. OKG keeps you going longer and promotes a speedier recovery."
Finally, we add a new ingredient, the amino acid complex Ornithine Alpha-Ketoglutarate (OKG) which limits the body's tendency to break down muscle protein tissue during extremely hard training and racing days. OKG keeps you going longer and promotes a speedier recovery."
April 18, 2011
Inspiration
Hi Friends!
The 2011 Boston Marathon is happening outside of my office window right now. The finish line is about a half block away and the stream of runners hasn't stopped since 10:30AM this morning. Between the wheelchair racers, Kenyan Geoffrey Mutai breaking a Marathon record and Marines crossing the finish line in full gear and packs; it's safe to say this day has been nothing short of amazing and inspiring. 47 days until the swim!!
The 2011 Boston Marathon is happening outside of my office window right now. The finish line is about a half block away and the stream of runners hasn't stopped since 10:30AM this morning. Between the wheelchair racers, Kenyan Geoffrey Mutai breaking a Marathon record and Marines crossing the finish line in full gear and packs; it's safe to say this day has been nothing short of amazing and inspiring. 47 days until the swim!!
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| Kenya's Geoffrey Mutai crossing the finish line. Breaking not only a Boston Marathon record but a world record as well. |
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| Kenyan fans celebrating their win! |
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| Check out the marines on the right crossing the finish line in full gear and packs! |
April 14, 2011
51
Hi Friends!
I went to morning practice today...and was the only person to show up. I guess I should start checking my e-mail before heading to practice. Only after I returned home at 5:40AM did I notice the cancellation e-mail come through. Oh well, a morning of yoga and kettle bell it was. I read a great story this morning about getting back into the water after taking time off. If you need a quick reading break, check it out here.
The Boston Marathon is on Monday. My window faces the finish line and workers are busy jack hammering away and setting up bleachers. If you look close you can see them through the dirt on my window.
When I tell people that I'm competing in the SAKW, they sometimes look at me like I'm crazy for swimming 12.5 miles. Well, when people tell me they are running a marathon, I look at them like they are crazy for running 26.2 miles. I can't even fathom running more than a half marathon. Needless to say, it will be fun to watch the runners finish through my window on Monday.
Thanks for reading!
I went to morning practice today...and was the only person to show up. I guess I should start checking my e-mail before heading to practice. Only after I returned home at 5:40AM did I notice the cancellation e-mail come through. Oh well, a morning of yoga and kettle bell it was. I read a great story this morning about getting back into the water after taking time off. If you need a quick reading break, check it out here.
The Boston Marathon is on Monday. My window faces the finish line and workers are busy jack hammering away and setting up bleachers. If you look close you can see them through the dirt on my window.
When I tell people that I'm competing in the SAKW, they sometimes look at me like I'm crazy for swimming 12.5 miles. Well, when people tell me they are running a marathon, I look at them like they are crazy for running 26.2 miles. I can't even fathom running more than a half marathon. Needless to say, it will be fun to watch the runners finish through my window on Monday.
Thanks for reading!
April 13, 2011
52 Days!
Hi Friends!
52 Days until the race. My shoulder is better, my knee is getting better and I'm feeling pretty good! However, my nerves are starting to freak out a bit which is unusual for me because I don't usually get nervous. Maybe its because I've been getting e-mails with clips about thousands of sharks off the coast of Florida (thanks, Monica!) or about giant 300 lb eagle rays attacking women on boats! Thanks friends and family, but I'm just going to think about the pretty fish and maybe the lone nurse shark I'll see during the swim :)
52 Days until the race. My shoulder is better, my knee is getting better and I'm feeling pretty good! However, my nerves are starting to freak out a bit which is unusual for me because I don't usually get nervous. Maybe its because I've been getting e-mails with clips about thousands of sharks off the coast of Florida (thanks, Monica!) or about giant 300 lb eagle rays attacking women on boats! Thanks friends and family, but I'm just going to think about the pretty fish and maybe the lone nurse shark I'll see during the swim :)
April 6, 2011
Injured List
Hi Friends!
I'm still on the injured list do to some issues with the IT band in my left knee so I had to take another day off of swimming and running. Getting back in the water tonight after a couple of days off should feel great.
On another note, check out this awesome video of a new baby giraffe at the Cincinnati Zoo! My love of giraffes might be a bit obsessive but this is just awesome. (Disclaimer: The video contains footage of the actual birth so if that's not your thing, fast forward a bit.)
Thanks for reading!
I'm still on the injured list do to some issues with the IT band in my left knee so I had to take another day off of swimming and running. Getting back in the water tonight after a couple of days off should feel great.
On another note, check out this awesome video of a new baby giraffe at the Cincinnati Zoo! My love of giraffes might be a bit obsessive but this is just awesome. (Disclaimer: The video contains footage of the actual birth so if that's not your thing, fast forward a bit.)
Thanks for reading!
April 3, 2011
Goodbye Winter
Hi Friends! This weekend was gorgeous! Kayaker and I went for one last day of NE skiing at Ragged Mountain. We enjoyed some warmer weather, pond skimming and a few beers by the outdoor fire pit. I finished the season with two black runs! Proof below...
I've been experiencing a bit of tendinitis in my left shoulder so I'm taking the weekend off from the pool. The sun is still out so it's time for a run! Two months and one day until the race.
Thanks for reading!
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