American Odyssey Relay

What an incredible experience! I’m posting from work, so I don’t have the ability to add photos to this post so I will be sure to do so soon. One team, 12 people, 36 hours and 200 miles. Over the hills and through the woods (except, we didn’t quite get to grandmothers house) to Potomac Park in Washington DC. I’ve attached a photo of the team, so hopefully it uploads. When I have more time, I’ll be sure to add all the gritty details (because some sure are GRITTY!) so you all can read what an amazing experience I had.

 

 

It's been a long time

I feel like it's been forever since  I've posted something. There's lots going on these days. Swimming lessons are going great - well except for the fact I got beasted by a 5 year old today, but he's been taking lessons for 2 years, compared to my 6 days, hahaha. I think I'm finally starting to catch on. Needless to say, I'm practically working out twice a day now, but I'm okay with that. 

My dad is doing really really well. There was talk last week of doing another blood transfusion last week, however they are trying to control his blood levels with medicine. He's looking better and better each day, and even went for a walk around the block yesterday! My mom made him climb a huge hill in our neighborhood. There will be no cripples in our house. = ) (at least that's what she keeps saying...)

The American Odyssey Relay is in 4 days - that's right 4 days!!!!!! I am so excited, I can't wait. Our team is made up of bloggers all over the US. Most of us have never met until Thursday. I believe we are projected to start at 7am and finish around 7pm, Saturday night.  Then the following weekend is the Pittsburgh Marathon... well, half marathon. I ended up having to drop due to my crummy knee issues in Jan. I really wanted to run the full. 

Also - I'm down to my last 2 weeks of grad school! LAST 2 WEEKS! Oh my gosh. I can't believe it. The time flew by when I wasn't really thinking about it. However, mentally I am SO finished. I was finished a month ago. I get so antsy in the classes just thinking about how it's almost over. I am going to attend graduation and walk. I am excited. 

And to finish up, Scott has been in Florida since last Wednesday. He's finally coming home tomorrow - I can't wait! He's going to come to my swimming lesson Thursday morning and snap some photos, then head to Gettysburg for the AOR. He's in charge of the luggage and making sure my car makes it back to MD. 

Hope everyone is doing well!!!! 

Tomorrow is my first lesson!

That's right... I have finally found a private swimming instructor who
is prepared to get me through this learn to swim thing! I'm excited.
10 lessons crammed into about 3 weeks. They say training for
Triathlons actually helps with marathon training as well. I've read
several different articles in which marathoners wanted to break 3 hour
and after training for a Tri actually did it. Maybe I could shave a
little time off?!

The race I'm scheduled to run in October is one of the top 10 fastest
marathons in the US. 25% of the group that runs it actually qualifies
for Boston. Only 700 people run it! Hope it proves that same for
me : ) (not the qualifying part... But the fast part!)

I'm raising money to help support the mission of The Leukemia &
Lymphoma Society while training for my first Triathlon! Please visit: http://pages.teamintraining.org/md/irongcol09/adiegelman
to donate.

Nutrition books

So, in preparing to train for my first Tri, I've read that I want to know a lot about nutrition and the right foods to eat. I'd have to say, even with being a runner I'm pretty poor with it. When I'm in peak training, my weight yo-yos. I adapt the "I just ran 8 miles, why not eat what I want

 attitude". It's not a good one to have.

Does anyone know of any quality nutrition books for athletes, or even endurance athletes? I need something with meal plans or suggestions. I'm ready to tackle this aspect so I can continue to train the right way.  Thanks! 

Blood Donation

The last day my dad was in the hospital it was discovered he needed a transfusion. I have never donated blood before - thought about it, but never actually did it.  Seeing that he needed it made me think about the fact that thousands of people need them daily. Some people need them just to live. 

I decided today I would go donate. It would be my small contribution. I did all the research until I felt comfortable and went to the clinic. After all my information was given, it was discovered my iron level was a tad too low to donate. Bummer.

The nurse handed me a sheet with "iron rich" foods I could eat (best part is... I already eat those foods!). I asked when I could come back and she told me any day other then today. After talking to my mom, she mentioned she also has low iron. I started taking an iron supplement and am going to try again later this week. The nurse wanted to give me a t-shirt for coming in. I told her I didn't really "earn" it... but she made me take it anyways. Ha. 

Random

Yet again, I've decided to jump in and do something random! I've signed up for my FIRST Triathlon - The Iron Girl Triathlon. That's right... swimming, cycling THEN running all in the same time frame. I've decided to take on this adventure with Team in Training again. This time the event is in my area, so the fundraising minimum isn't too bad. I've pledged to raise $2,500. 

IF anyone would like to donate, below it the link to my page.  So far I'm on a good track - getting started early. Now all I need to do is sign up for swimming lessons... I did tell you I can't swim, right?! = )

http://pages.teamintraining.org/md/irongcol09/adiegelman

Frustration

Why is it when women say they'll be home, they are home. But when guys say they'll be home, it's just an estimation. Then when we get pissed that they're not home on time, we are in the wrong for getting bent out of shape. We are limiting them from having their fun, because heaven forbid, we actually thought they'd be home when they said they would. 

It's a screwed up cycle, but seems to be a problem everywhere. Take today for example. I wanted to hang out with Scott today, but he told his friends he would go out with them. So, before he went out, he told me he would try and be home earlier - so we could still hang out. I asked what time earlier might be and he said 8-8:30. Well, now he might not be home till 9-9:30 and whats the point. It's not like we can DO anything on a Sunday night at that time. If he would have come home the time he said he was going to come home, then maybe we could have gone to Rita's. Or maybe we could have taken a walk. We could have done something other then sit on the couch and watch TV - like we'll be doing when he eventually shows up. 

I don't think I ask for a lot. I just ask that when someone tells me they'll be around at a certain time, that they actually are around then. I just ask that you don't tell me excuses as to why you're not home yet. The best from today was "well, he's been dying to hang out with me" GREAT. So have I. I guess HE is just more important.