Off to Vacation

Starting Friday, I fly out to Miami to spend a few days with one of Sue's best friends in Boca Raton, then we head off to the western caribbean for a 5 day cruise out of miami. I can't remember the last time I have taken a vacation like this so I'm due. It will be a nice break from the cold weather.


I got in 11+ hours of training this week. I felt a little run down as I often do on the third week of a training block. Hopefully, the recovery gets easier and I get more quality workouts as my body gets used to the training. I got in two 2 hour rides on the trainer this week which can be mentally very tough. I capped the week off with a 15k runnnig race that took place on a cold day today on a hilly course in Ridgefield. I decided not to do a warmup so I took the first 20-30 minutes of the race to warmup, then at the halfway point I kicked it in a bit. Finished in 1:10, 7:30 pace......just a bit behind the winner from Kenya who finished in 49 minuts :-)

Watching the patriots play the chargers right now......they are up 14-6 but the chargers are holding up tough. I didn't think Rivers would be as agile as he has been. GO PATS!!!!

Go Patriots!!!!

I was fortunate to score some tickets to the pats game on Saturday night with my mates Aido, Davo, and Dermo. We didn't just have any tickets, these were luxury box seats......fully catered, bathroom, vip parking. Now this is the way to see a game. The place was lively. The offense looked good as always, workmanlike but the defense looked real soft especially the secondary. We'll bring on the Chargers for a rematch from early in the season.

Had a good week of training.....managed to get in 12 hours. I got in my first long ride in a while of 2 hours on my trainer. 2 hours on the trainer is like riding 2 1/2 hours of riding outside because on the trainer you are constantly pedaling as opposed to riding outside when you coast quite often.

Met with my nutritionist and my results were not great. I managed to gain one pound of fat but it was also over Christmas and New Years. I'm feeling okay with that result. I signed on with Charlie for another 12 weeks to ensure I stay accountable to somebody to stay on track. My mind still is not fully committed to meeting my goals so I'm trying to find some inspiration somewhere. When it happens with me, it clicks in quickly but I think I'm still waiting for that to happen.

Vacation starts a week from Friday.....it will be my first vacation in recent memory. I'm looking forward to some warm sunshine.

A pic from my cell phone from the box.

NEW BIKE.....IT'S HERE

I got the email that said my bike was ready. I drove down to Philly on Friday to pick it up.....well, not quite that easy. As I walked into the shop, I was getting a little nervous about how the paint job would come out. I glanced around the little shop and saw it. My first impression was of disappointment. It just wasn't as cool as some I have seen. Oh well, its okay. It might grown on me. Dave Greenfield at Elite is amazing. I thought I would be there for a few hours....try 4 hours.

He re-fit me to the new bike, then he fit me to my road bike which I also brought up with me. I'll include a picture at the bottom of this post.

I ran a 10k today. I wasn't feeling the greatest since I only got 3 hours of sleep the previous night but I was feeling decent so I decided to run. I have been training fairly hard so I wasn't as fresh as I could be. I ran 44 minutes for a 7:10 pace. My goal was 7:15 pace or better. The last half mile of this course is mostly uphill just when you're hurting the most. On a flatter course, I have sub 7:00 in me. I cut 5 min. off my time from last year. I really see the benefit of less weight each time I do a race like this. I feel every pound in every step I take. After the race I felt pretty good. My goal is to run a 5k in sub 20 min. which is something like a 6:30 pace. I think I have to lose another 5-10 pounds....so hopefully by march.

The diet hasn't been so good lately....not terrible but not great. I meet with my nutritionist on Friday and I will tell you that I didn't meet my goals that he set out for me. I set out on this program at the worst time of the year to meet these goals so I still feel good for being able to maintain during this time of the year.

Heading on a little vacation in a few weeks....taking a cruise to the wester caribbean for 5 days. I'm looking forward to some warmer weather.

My trip to Mallorca in March is coming together. It should be a good one.

I just finished up a 12 hour training week with some hard runs and rides that took a lot out of me. I swam 50,000 yds in the month of December.....that's 2,000 laps or over 28 miles. I sure wish I looked like Michael Phelps but I don't.