Why am I so afraid of cycling outside?

I run - that's what I love to do. I have been asked several times if I have ever considered training for a triathalon. The answer is a very quick - NO.  Why not you ask?  Well, I am petrified to ride a bike in the road. I know that sounds crazy, but it's true. I have no problem running in the road. The way I see it is that if a car comes at me, I can jump out of the way. Where exactly am I going with a bike? Also, on a bike I can't see what's coming since I'd be going in the same direction as the cars. This whole fear is something that I really need to get over. I guess it's no different than being afraid of spiders or small spaces. I should just get out there one day and do it to conquer this absurd fear. My plea here is for some help! Please tell me why I shouldn't be scared and how awesome triathalons are.  I'd love to hear from some cycling enthusiasts. Maybe that would help.  Thanks in advance =)

Today's Workout:  6.1 mile run and Cardio Barre + F&V  Total Points for HBBC:  13.1

Happy Birthday to Me!

42 TODAY!

Today I turn 42.  I am proud of my age and would shout it from the rooftops if someone wanted me to.  Why do I love my age?  Here are a few reasons:
1. I feel better today than I did in my 20's
2. I am smarter and wiser now. Therefore I make better decisions.
3. I have learned to value what is important in life (family,friends, health).  Believe it or not, this did take me awhile to learn!
4. The older I get the more comfortable in my own skin I become. Here's an example - I teach high school. On Friday I told my class that there were only two formulas in Algebra they would have to memorize - Slope and the Quadratic Formula. I then explained that we would learn the Quadratic Formula by singing it to the tune of the Flinstone's.  Some of the student's started to say that they wouldn't sing.  I said, "That's all right. I'll do it anyway."  One of the girls asked, "You would sing in front of all of us by yourself?"  I told her I would.  She then said, "You must be a good singer."  Actually, I am an awful singer, but that's the point.  Being in my 40's has taught me not to care what other people think.
5. I am better runner now than I ever was! Mind you, I didn't start running until I was 38.
6. Now that I am older, my kids are also older. They are becoming young men and we can actually have real conversations. I love hanging out with them!
In a nutshell, I am not depressed about getting older. I feel like a bottle of wine that just keeps getting better with age.

Today's workout 9.1 mile run - 9.1 points  40 minute - Crunch Super Slim Down Yoga/Pilates from Netflix - 2 points (Great workout!)  Fruits and Veggies - 1 point  Total points for HBBC: 12.2

Post NY Marathon Week

Well, the marathon was last week and it was amazing! I came in under 5 hours which was the goal. Brooklyn was definitely my favorite part. I had never been there. The most memorable moment was running past a Baptist church where it seemed like the whole congregation was outside singing. I loved it =). So now I'm going to focus on trying to get a little faster. The plan is to run again next year, but it would be nice if I could do it in around 4 hours and 30 minutes. Any tips would be greatly appreciated.

Teachers were off this Thursday and Friday, so I switched up my normal workout week. Here's what I did: Mon - Wed NOTHING Thurs - took a Hi Lo class Fri - too a Hardcore Body class Sat - Cardio Barre and a 3.5 mile run. I think I'll take a yoga class tomorrow.

I am really going to try and keep up with the blog this time - I swear! I finally got myself a twitter account too. It's so hard to try to keep up with all this stuff.

Beautiful Day!

What a gorgeous couple of days we've had! I love the nice warm weather. Went up to the state park for a run yesterday afternoon. I got almost 5 miles in and was so happy to be outside in shorts. I had every intention of going to the gym tonight for a spinning class, but it's just too nice out. I'm throwing a few porterhouse steaks on the grill and having a glass of red wine instead.

That sounds so much better - doesn't it? I'm starting to like this blogging thing. Of course once I get the hang of it, something new will come out, but that's ok.

Day of (much needed) Rest

After such a bust weekend, it's nice to take today and rest. I'm not going to do anything physical at all today (not even pilates). I am totally wiped out after this weekend and my body needs some healing time.

Just had my St. Pat's dinner - cornbeef, potatoos, and carrots. I set it up in the crockpot this morning and it was so tender that it just fell apart. We don't do the cabbage because nobody likes it. Why did I cook this meal today instead of tomorrow? Well, I have no idea to be honest. I know that I want to run about 5 miles tomorrow, so maybe I just don't want the big meal after that.

Bloggin if fun, but how do I get people to read this???!!! It's all new to me, so I guess I'll just start researching a little to see what I should be doing. If someone does read this - can you give me some pointers? Thanks!

The dreaded stomach virus!!!

Had a great time last night - exhausting day, but it was a good time. My son called us at about 10 pm to say that his friend just got sick (threw up). We went home and found his friend on the floor very ill. We took him home with a stomach virus and crossed our fingers that no one in the house would get it. I woke up early today and felt great. Decided to do my run before church instead of this afternoon, so I got dressed and ran 8.85 miles. The weather was great and I felt good. Tried a belt for the first time today with a water bottle and sport beans. I liked the belt - just had to tighten it up a bit because it was sliding around when I started. Anyway, it is now 6:50 pm and I don't feel so good. I am praying that I don't get the stomach bug! I HATE to throw up.

I'm really tired and can't figure out if it's because the weekend was so busy or because I am getting sicking. Please, please, please don't let it be that i'm getting sick.

I got the Lysol out today and really cleaned everything, but it may be too late.

March 14, 2009

The race today was amazing! We got up early and left at 7:15. My son and his friend weren't too happy about that since they had stayed up until past 2 am the night before. Anyway, we got to Morristown at around 8:30. The kids 1 mile started at 9:30 and the 5k at 10:00. I was so energized and excited. It was great to get started because it was pretty chilly and I wanted to start sweating. My goals going into this race were 1. Do not get overwhelmed by the crowds (there were almost 1500 runners today) 2. Do not start too fast and poop out. 3. Finish in under 32 minutes. I have a Nike+ and the fastest 5k I have run so far is 31:18. Guess what? I ran today in 27:51!!!!! I couldn't believe it. I think that all of people must have just pushed me too go faster. I wasn't too tired - in fact I felt great the whole time (even up the little hill). Needless to say, my first race was a success and I will defnitely be signing up for more.

My stats were: placed 716 out of 1500, 251st female out of 734, 79th out of 264 in age range 30 - 39.

The Morristown parade was really crowded. It ended up being a gorgeous day today which probably brought a lot of people out, but I think this is a big deal every year. Our governor was even in it. The first thing I ordered when we got to the bar was a Guiness - it went down so well! Next year I will bring my daschund Oscar. The last group in the parade was the Oscar Meyer Weiner truck and people with their dogs. It was really cute.

Just woke up from a nap after an eventful morning and now it's time to shower and go out to dinner.

March 13, 2009

My very first entry! Yay!
Let me give a little history about my year so far. Back in September, if you had told me to run a mile, I would have laughed (hysterically). Tomorrow I will be running my first 5k and am signed up for a 1/2 marathon in April. How did I get from there to here? Well, I had put on a few pounds over the summer and when a bunch or coworkers decided to do a biggest loser contest, I thought why not? I can get these pounds off and possibly win a little money. I am very competitive (mostly with myself) and I did very well in the contest. I didn't win, but I did take off nearly 30 pounds! During the fall I started running a little. I ran (or rather jogged) my first mile in October and was ecstatic. I then bumped it up to 2 and 3 miles. My pace was only about 12 minutes per mile, but, hey - I was doing it!
In the middle of December I ran 5 miles for the first time on the treadmill and haven't felt such a sense of accopmlishment since I gave birth. It was quite an amazing feeling. I was enjoying running so much by this point that I decided to give it my all and train for the 1/2 marathon. Here's where the real test came - I had been a pack a day smoker for about 18 years and knew it had to go (for real this time!) On December 28th, I smoked my last cigarette and with some help from Nicotine patches and God on my side, I have been smoke free every since.
Last Saturday I ran 10.8 miles in 2:07 minutes.
So, needless to say, 2009 has been a life changing year for me thus far. I have found that my relationships are better, I am happier and healthier, and everything is just all around more joyful.
I am so excited for the 5k tomorrow that I can hardly stand it! It's in Morristown NJ and they are having a St. Patrick's Day celebration with a parade and all after the race. My son is running the 1 mile fun run first and we can't wait! The weather is supposed to be nice 50 degrees and sunny. Can't ask for much better than that. I know that I can run the race and am hoping to do it in about 32 minutes. I just hope that all of the excitement doesn't get the better of me. We shall see.